New guide to help MPs navigate Parliament and improve lawmaking

Wednesday 24th July 2024

  • Law for Lawmakers to equip MPs, including record numbers of new MPs, with the legal and constitutional know-how needed for their work.
  • The guide aims to strengthen democratic lawmaking and protect the rule of law, following concerns it has been eroded in recent years.

JUSTICE’s newly updated Law for Lawmakers guide will be delivered to all new and returning MPs starting today. MPs are tasked with solving our biggest challenges using a notoriously complex Parliamentary system. Today’s guide aims to help them navigate this to ensure democratic, evidence-based lawmaking.   

The guide follows recent controversies including the Rwanda policy, the proroguing of Parliament during Brexit debates, and attempts to repeal the Human Rights Act. Many of these issues led to Civicus Monitor downgrading of the health of the UK’s civic sphere to ‘obstructed’ last year.  

As record numbers of new MPs set up their offices, the guide will support them to get to grips with their roles quickly in the face of the heavy legislative agenda contained in the King’s Speech. It explains key legal and constitutional principles to help politicians of all parties (and their staff) review new laws, write amendments to Bills, support their constituents, and more.

Attorney General, Lord Richard Hermer KC says:

“Serving in government is a privilege that carries huge responsibility. As we face this challenging path and navigate complex decisions, I am clear about our mission to protect and promote the rule of law.

“This guide is an incredibly useful resource in introducing some of the key legal and constitutional principles which law makers will encounter. I sincerely hope it will encourage debate and conversation on how law and politics can work together in harmony.”

Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC, former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, says:

“The rule of law isn’t an airy, quaint, historic notion – it’s the essential underpinning of a modern, safe, prosperous and fair society. It’s what ensures the guilty are convicted and the innocent walk free. It’s what ensures injustices are put right even when the wrongdoer is powerful. And it’s what promotes Britain’s international reputation and attracts investment.

“But the world of the law, of bewigged judges and judicial review, can feel like a secret garden to MPs – to new ones in particular. This excellent guide gives them the key.”

Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of JUSTICE, says:

“The rule of law means we all benefit from and answer to the same rules. It is the foundation of our democracy, protecting us from arbitrary state power, providing certainty for businesses, and safeguarding courts’ impartiality.

“But where the rule of law is badly eroded, the results – rushed, poorly scrutinised new laws, and threats to judicial independence, for example – hurt us all.

“This guide serves to repair the cracks in the UK’s political foundations by giving every MP the tools they need to act as custodians of our democracy.”   

Andrew Denny, Head of UK Public Law at A&O Shearman, says:

“The rule of law and good law making underpin our democracy and are crucial to the UK economy and to society as a whole. Accordingly, it’s a great pleasure for A&O Shearman to support JUSTICE in creating the updated Law for Lawmakers guide. 51% of MPs are sitting in Parliament for the first time so this guide couldn’t be more relevant.”

JUSTICE will offer training opportunities and clinics on the guide for MPs and their staff over the coming months. The organisation has a long history of scrutinising lawmaking and developing pragmatic solutions to strengthen the rule of law. Its briefings and analysis are frequently referenced in Parliamentary debates, and it regularly gives evidence on justice issues to Parliamentary committees.

For more information and interview requests please contact Jessica Kaplan on press@justice.org.uk.