| This article is part of a series within the Politics of the United Kingdom on the |
| Politics of Scotland |
|---|
 |
| Part of a series on |
| Scots law |
|---|
 |
An act of the Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Achd Pàrlamaid na h-Alba) is primary legislation made by the Scottish Parliament. The power to create acts was conferred to the Parliament by section 28 of the Scotland Act 1998 following the successful 1997 referendum on devolution.[1][2]
Prior to the establishment of the Parliament under the 1998 act, all post-union laws specific to Scotland were passed at the Westminster Parliament. Although the Westminster Parliament has retained the ability to legislate for Scotland, by convention it does not do so without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.[1]: (s. 28(7)) [3]: (para. 14) Since the passing of the 1998 act, the Westminster Parliament has passed five public general acts that apply only to Scotland.[4]
A draft act is known as a bill. Once it is passed by the Scottish Parliament and receives royal assent, the bill becomes an act and is then a part of Scots Law.[1]: (ss. 28, 32, 36)
- ^ a b c HM Government (19 November 1998). Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46). The National Archives. ISBN 0-10-544698-X. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ Cabinet Office; Scotland Office (20 February 2013). "Devolution settlement: Scotland - Detailed guidance - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. HM Government. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ Memorandum of Understanding and Supplementary Agreements (PDF). Scottish Government. October 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ The National Archives. "UK Public General Acts containing "scotland"". www.legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.