A private bill is a proposal for a law that would apply to a particular individual or group of individuals, or corporate entity. If enacted, it becomes a private Act (of Parliament). This is unlike public bills which apply to everyone within their jurisdiction. Private law can afford relief from another law, grant a unique benefit or powers not available under the general law, or relieve someone from legal responsibility for some allegedly wrongful act. There are many examples of such private law in democratic countries, although its use has changed over time.
A private bill is not to be confused with a private member’s bill, this being a bill introduced by a “backbencher” or a "crossbencher".
Read more about Private Bill: Canada, United Kingdom, United States
Famous quotes containing the words private and/or bill:
“When I think of the gold-diggers and the Mormons, the slaves and the slave-holders and the flibustiers, I naturally dream of a glorious private life. No, I am not patriotic.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“He showed me his bill of fare to tempt me to dine with him; said I, I value not your bill of fare, give me your bill of company.”
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)