Parliamentary Counsel Office
PCO Offices
The Parliamentary Counsel are a specialised team of lawyers based in
Whitehall. Their main work is drafting Government Bills for introduction
into Parliament and related Parliamentary business.
Parliamentary Counsel also draft certain Orders in Council and other
subordinate legislation when specially instructed. They also review
subordinate legislation which amends primary legislation; this arises
particularly in relation to European matters. They also advise the
Government on legal, parliamentary and constitutional questions falling
within their special experience.
Quotes from Acts of Parliament drafted by the PCO
"An Act to... establish a Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and to
abolish the appellate jurisdiction of the House of Lords..."
Constitutional Reform Act 2005
"An Act to make provision about hunting wild mammals with
dogs..."
Hunting Act 2004
"An Act to make provision in connection with anti-social
behaviour."
Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003
"An Act to make provision about terrorism..."
Terrorism Act 2000
"There shall be a Scottish Parliament"
Scotland Act 1998
