Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Debate definition

What does Debate mean? In legal practice, a debate is a court hearing confined to argument on points of law, normally taken before any evidence is led. It tests whether the pleadings disclose a relevant and sufficiently specific case so that the matter should proceed. In Scotland, debate has a specific meaning in civil litigation (Court of Session and sheriff court). The court hears submissions on relevancy and specification, statutory or contractual interpretation, prescription/limitation (time‑bar) and other preliminary pleas. No witnesses are called. Outcomes include sustaining or repelling pleas‑in‑law, dismissing the action or a defence, granting decree de plano, or allowing proof (often proof before...

How an Act of the UK Parliament is made: Bill types, Commons and Lords stages, Parliament Acts, Royal Assent and commencement

Published by a LexisNexis Public Law expert

Practice notes

Bill

A Bill is a proposed new law, or a suggested amendment to an existing law, put before Parliament for Debate. A Bill may originate in either the House of Commons (the Commons) or the House of Lords (the Lords) at the outset; however, unless the Parliament Acts apply (see below), both Chambers must scrutinise, revise and approve it before it becomes law. Once both Houses have settled the Bill’s contents, it is then submitted for Royal Assent.

Bills can be introduced by:

the government
individual MPs
individual Lords, and
private individuals or organisations

There are four different types of Bill:

Government Bills — these are the most common sort of Bill, brought forward by government ministers. Government Bills are almost always Public Bills, meaning they seek to alter the law as it applies to the general population. They may start in either House, though measures concerning taxes or the management of public funds usually begin in the Commons. Furthermore, contentious Bills that the government believes may in due course need to pass through Parliament...

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Web page updated on 27/05/2026

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