Command papers are essential resources for law students as they offer insights into government policy and proposed legislation.
Understanding Command Papers:
- Definition: Command papers are official documents presented to Parliament by the government, containing information on policy proposals, draft legislation, and reports on specific issues.
- Types: They come in various forms, such as State Papers (involving treaties and international agreements), White Papers (outlining government policy), Green Papers (inviting public consultation), and reports from government departments or agencies.
- Numbering: Each command paper is assigned a unique number, which indicates the parliamentary session and series in which it was published.
Researching Command Papers:
- Online Sources:
- Gov.uk: The government's Official Documents website publishes recent publications and consultations, often including command papers related to policy proposals. It contains historic command papers dating back only to 2005.
- Library Resources:
- Parliamentary Papers: This database hosts command papers dating from 1883 to 2004, alongside Commons and Lords sessional papers dating back to 1715 and public petitions to Parliament from 1833-1918.
- Legal Databases: Some legal databases like Westlaw and Lexis include some command papers within their collections, particularly those related to legal reforms.
- Search Strategies:
- Keyword Search: Use specific keywords related to your research topic to find relevant command papers. You can also search by command paper number if you have that information.
- Check References: Look for references to command papers in journal articles, textbooks, or other sources. These can lead you to relevant publications.
- Analysing Command Papers:
- Read the Executive Summary: Start with the executive summary to get an overview of the document's key points and conclusions.
- Identify Key Proposals: Pay close attention to the specific proposals or recommendations made in the command paper.
- Consider the Context: Understand the political and social context in which the command paper was published. This will help you interpret its significance and potential impact.
- Consult Other Sources: Supplement your research with additional materials like parliamentary debates, news articles, or academic commentary to gain a broader perspective.
