British Judiciary: Importance Of Ultra Vires, Judicial Review And The Supreme Court's Interactions With And Influence Over The Legislative And Policy-Making Process

Question 1

What does acted ultra vires mean?

Answer 1

A public official has operated beyond the authority granted to them

Question 2

What two things had enhanced the power of the UK judiciary?

Answer 2

The importance of European Union law and the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998

Question 3

What did the UK incorporate into law with the European Communities Act 1972?

Answer 3

the Treaty Of Rome

Question 4

How did the incorporation of EU laws over British laws work and what cases changed peoples initial understanding?

Answer 4

Initially this simply meant that the UK government could be called to account at the ECJ but after the Factortame Case (1990), UK courts were permitted to ‘suspend’ UK statues that appeared to be in violation of EU law

Question 5

What does ECJ stand for?

Answer 5

European Court of Justice (ECJ)

Question 6

Which act incorporated most of the articles of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law?

Answer 6

The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA)

Question 7

Which committee examines whether draft legislation is HRA-compatible?

Answer 7

Joint Committee on Human Rights