Constitutional Law Flashcards
Uncodified Constitution
The UK Constitution is uncodified, meaning it is not written in a single document. Its rules derive from multiple sources, including Acts of Parliament, common law, constitutional conventions, and international agreements like the European Convention on Human Rights.
Rule of Law
This principle ensures that laws are applied fairly, government actions must comply with the law, and laws generally do not have retroactive effect. Courts play a critical role in upholding this principle
Parliamentary Sovereignty
The UK Parliament holds the highest legislative authority, with no constitutionally entrenched laws. Changes to the constitution can be made by passing ordinary Acts of Parliament with a simple majority.
Declaration of Incompatibility
Courts can issue a declaration of incompatibility if legislation conflicts with the Human Rights Act 1998. However, this does not invalidate the legislation; Parliament decides the consequences.
Royal Prerogative
A collection of powers historically held by the Monarch but now exercised by government ministers. These powers can be regulated or abolished by Acts of Parliament.
Constitutional Conventions
Non-legal rules that regulate constitutional practices, such as the convention that the Monarch acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. They are not legally enforceable but are followed to maintain political accountability.
Asymmetric Devolution
The UK’s devolution system is asymmetric, as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have varying degrees of legislative powers granted by different Acts of Parliament.
Importance of Constitutional Conventions
These conventions maintain the balance between legal powers and political accountability, ensuring that legal powers are exercised in line with democratic principles and historical practices.
Example: Appointment of the Prime Minister
Legally, the Monarch appoints the Prime Minister. By convention, this choice is restricted to the leader of the political party that commands a majority in the House of Commons.
Convention of Royal Assent
By convention, the Monarch always grants Royal Assent to bills passed by Parliament, even though, in theory, they have the legal power to refuse
Ministerial Accountability
Ministers are conventionally required to resign if they breach ethical standards or if their personal conduct undermines public trust, ensuring political accountability.
Sewel Convention
The UK Parliament will not legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the devolved legislature, ensuring respect for the autonomy of devolved governments.
Collective Responsibility
Cabinet ministers are conventionally bound to publicly support Cabinet decisions. If a minister cannot abide by this, they are expected to resign.
Union State
The UK is a union state composed of four nations—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It functions under parliamentary sovereignty, with legislative power concentrated at the UK Parliament.
Devolution Defined
Devolution refers to the transfer of certain legislative powers from the UK Parliament to the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, allowing them to govern in specific areas.
Devolved Legislatures
Scottish Parliament:
Established by the Scotland Act 1998, it handles areas like health, education, and justice.
Welsh Parliament:
Initially created as the National Assembly for Wales (1998) and later expanded to include law-making powers.
Northern Ireland Assembly:
Created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, focusing on peace process agreements and governance.
Reserved Powers Model
Explanation: The UK operates a “reserved powers” model, meaning devolved legislatures can legislate on any matter not explicitly reserved to the UK Parliament.
Impact of Devolution on Parliamentary Sovereignty
Explanation: While devolution allows regional governance, the UK Parliament retains the legal right to legislate on devolved matters, showcasing the underlying principle of parliamentary sovereignty.
Rule of Law
The principle that all individuals and authorities, including the government, are subject to and accountable under the law. Key aspects include:
Laws must be applied fairly.
Government actions must comply with the law.
Laws should generally not have retrospective effect.
International law
The ratification of international treaties have no effect on domestic law, it must be incorporated into domestic law to have said effect
Enrolled bill rule
Once a bill has passed both house of lords and commons and has been given royal assent, it cannot be challenged or changed
Parliament binding its successor
Parliament may not do this. The successor can repeal an act either expressly or impliedly of a previous parliament
What are the Separation of Powers
This principle divides the state’s functions among three branches to prevent the concentration of power:
Legislative: Makes laws (e.g., UK Parliament).
Executive: Implements laws (e.g., the Government).
Judiciary: Interprets laws (e.g., Courts).
While the UK does not have a strict separation, institutions like the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 strengthened judicial independence.
Parliamentary Privilege
Members of Parliament are protected from legal action for statements made in Parliament, allowing them to debate freely.
Flexibility of the UK Constitution
The UK’s uncodified constitution allows for adaptability and changes through ordinary Acts of Parliament or the evolution of conventions.
Composition of Parliament
Parliament consists of three parts:
House of Commons: 650 elected MPs representing constituencies.
House of Lords: Unelected members, including hereditary peers, life peers, Lords Spiritual, and former Law Lords.
Monarch: Ceremonial role, including delivering the King’s Speech and granting Royal Assent.
Role of the House of Commons
Represents the public through elected MPs.
Debates and votes on proposed legislation.
Scrutinizes government policies, with the opposition providing checks and balances through questions and debates
Role of the House of Lords
Reviews and suggests amendments to legislation proposed by the Commons.
Limited legislative power; cannot permanently block legislation but can delay it under the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949.
General Elections and Dissolution
General elections determine the composition of the House of Commons and indirectly decide the government.
Parliament is dissolved five years after its first meeting or earlier by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliaments Act 2022.
Legislative Process in Parliament
First Reading: Formal introduction of a bill.
Second Reading: Debate on the principles of the bill.
Committee Stage: Detailed examination and amendment.
Report Stage: Further amendments debated.
Third Reading: Final debate and approval.
Process repeats in the other House before Royal Assent.
King’s Speech
The King’s Speech, prepared by the government, outlines legislative priorities for the upcoming session during the State Opening of Parliament. It marks the start of a parliamentary session.
sub judice rule
prevents discussion of active court cases to respect judicial independence.
Secondary Legislation
Delegated authority from Acts of Parliament allows government to enact detailed regulations.
Can follow negative resolution procedure (automatic approval unless rejected) or affirmative resolution procedure (requires explicit approval by Parliament).
Salisbury Convention
The House of Lords will not block government bills that implement manifesto commitments of the ruling party but may suggest amendments.
Henry VIII Powers
Allow government to amend or repeal primary legislation using secondary legislation. Controversial when used for significant changes due to reduced parliamentary scrutiny.
Sunset Clauses
Legislation includes an expiration date, requiring periodic review and renewal by Parliament to continue its effect
Legislative ‘Ping Pong’
Process where amendments made by one House are sent to the other for approval or modification. Repeats until both Houses agree or the Commons prevails under the Parliament Acts.
Historical Role of the Monarch
Historically, the Monarch held executive, legislative, and judicial powers. Over time, these powers were delegated to ministers, the Privy Council, and, eventually, the Cabinet, marking the rise of parliamentary sovereignty.
The Crown as a Concept
The Crown symbolizes the executive branch of the UK government, including the Monarch, Prime Minister, Cabinet, ministers, and civil servants. It acts as a metaphor for state authority and governance.
Scope of Royal Prerogative Powers
Royal prerogative powers are historical executive powers exercised by the Crown. Many have been abolished or replaced by statutory powers but remain significant in areas like international relations, military deployment, and legislation.
Relation of the Royal prerogative between the monarch and parliament
The monarch has these powers as recognised under common law. However, these are mostly exercised by parliament. Parliament can choose due to abolish prerogative powers and no new ones can be created.
Relation of prerogative powers and statutory powers
Statutory powers will always take precedent over prerogative powers and the crown cannot thwart parliament with prerogative powers also. In turn, statutes do not bind the crown
What groups can Royal prerogative powers split into?
Ministerial
Personal
Miscellaneous
Legislative and Judicial
Examples of Ministerial Prerogatives
Deployment of armed forces overseas.
Conduct of international diplomacy and treaties (subject to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010).
Grant and revocation of passports.
Examples of Personal Prerogative Powers
Powers personally exercised by the Monarch but constrained by conventions.
Examples include:
Appointment and dismissal of the Prime Minister.
Dissolution and prorogation of Parliament.
Granting Royal Assent.
Examples of miscellaneous powers
right to mint coins
mine precious metals
claim certain animals and parts of thames
What is Cardinal Convention?
The Monarch acts on the advice of ministers, especially the Prime Minister. The Monarch has the right to:
Be consulted.
Encourage.
Warn.
These interactions are confidential, preserving impartiality.
Appointment of the Prime Minister
The Monarch appoints a Prime Minister who:
Commands confidence in the House of Commons.
Typically leads the majority party.
In hung parliaments, parties negotiate to determine leadership
Can the Monarch speak out about ministers advice?
No, the monarch must always act on the advice on ministers even if they disagree. The Monarch cannot make a public statement disagreeing with it
Dissolution of Parliament
While the Monarch formally dissolves Parliament, this action is taken only on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Dissolution and Calling of Parliaments Act 2022 restores the prerogative, but its exercise is convention-bound.
Deployment of Armed Forces
This is a ministerial prerogative power, but convention dictates that the government seeks parliamentary approval before deploying troops overseas, especially for significant military actions.