3.1. Reading and Understanding Legislation

PART A: CONCEPT & TERMINOLOGY
(The Anatomy of a Statute)

1. What is a Statute?

In the UK and US, a written law passed by the legislative body (Parliament or Congress) is called a Statute or an Act. While Turkey has comprehensive Codes (e.g., Türk Borçlar Kanunu), Anglo-American law often uses specific "Acts" for specific topics (e.g., The Theft Act 1968).

2. The Structure of an Act of Parliament

To understand a statute, you must know its parts:

• Short Title: The name of the Act (e.g., Human Rights Act 1998).
• Citation: The official reference number (e.g., 1998 Chapter 42).
• Long Title: A sentence at the beginning explaining the purpose of the Act (e.g., "An Act to give further effect to rights and freedoms...").
• Enacting Formula: The standard phrase starting with "Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty..." giving the law its authority.
• Sections (s) & Subsections (sub-s): The main body is divided into numbered sections. A section is divided into subsections (e.g., Section 1(1) or s.1(1)).
• Schedules: Found at the end of the Act; they contain lists, tables, or detailed technical provisions.

3. Key Verbs in Legislation

• To Enact: To make a bill (draft) into a law (Act).
• To Repeal: To cancel or revoke a law so it is no longer valid (similar to mülga).
  Note: Courts "overrule" cases; Parliaments "repeal" statutes.
• To Amend: To change or modify the wording of an existing law.
• To Come into Force: To become legally active and binding. A law might be enacted today but come into force next year.

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PART B: INTERACTIVE EXERCISES

Exercise 1: The Anatomy of an Act

Match the labels to the correct parts of the text below.

A Family Law Act 1996 (c. 27)

B An Act to make provision for the general principles of marriage support...

C BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty...

D 1. The general principles

E (1) The court and any person, in exercising functions under...

(A) is: -- Select Label --Short Title & CitationLong TitleEnacting FormulaSection HeadingSubsection (B) is: -- Select Label --Short Title & CitationLong TitleEnacting FormulaSection HeadingSubsection (C) is: -- Select Label --Short Title & CitationLong TitleEnacting FormulaSection HeadingSubsection (D) is: -- Select Label --Short Title & CitationLong TitleEnacting FormulaSection HeadingSubsection (E) is: -- Select Label --Short Title & CitationLong TitleEnacting FormulaSection HeadingSubsection

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice (Key Verbs)

1. The Parliament decided to _________ the old law because it was no longer relevant.

a) enact
b) repeal
c) prosecute

2. The new Copyright Act was passed in 2023, but it will not _________ until Jan 1st, 2025.

a) come into force
b) amend
c) repeal

3. When the legislature adds a new section to an existing Act, they _________ the Act.

a) repeal
b) overrule
c) amend

Exercise 3: Matching Definitions

Match the legal term with its correct definition.

1. Schedule

Select definition... Phrase granting Royal authority Appendix at the end with details/lists Draft of a proposed law Formal approval by the Monarch

2. Enacting Formula

Select definition... Phrase granting Royal authority Appendix at the end with details/lists Draft of a proposed law Formal approval by the Monarch

3. Bill

Select definition... Phrase granting Royal authority Appendix at the end with details/lists Draft of a proposed law Formal approval by the Monarch

4. Royal Assent

Select definition... Phrase granting Royal authority Appendix at the end with details/lists Draft of a proposed law Formal approval by the Monarch

Exercise 4: Reading Comprehension

"The Theft Act 1968 (Repeal) Order 2024"
This Order amends Section 5 of the Theft Act and repeals Section 12 entirely. This Order comes into force on 1 May 2024.

1. Section 12 of the Theft Act is still valid law after May 2024.

False True

2. The text creates a completely new Act called the Theft Act.

False True

3. Section 5 has been changed but not deleted.

True False

Exercise 5: Sentence Scramble

Click words to build the correct sentence.

1.

2.

3.

Click to Reveal Answer Key

Exercise 1: A-Short Title, B-Long Title, C-Enacting Formula, D-Heading, E-Subsection.

Exercise 2: 1.b (Repeal), 2.a (Come into force), 3.c (Amend).

Exercise 3: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D.

Exercise 4: 1.False (Repealed), 2.False (It amends/repeals), 3.True.

Exercise 5:
1. The UK Parliament enacts statutes.
2. The Act came into force yesterday.
3. Courts cannot repeal legislation.