Constitutions Flashcards
what is a constitution
- a set of rules and principles that govern a country or organization
- it regulates relationships between different parts of the organization or country
what is a codified constitution
- a single document that establishes the fundamental laws and principles of a states government
- usually entrenched and judiciable
Entrenched Meaning
difficult to change or abolish anything within the constitution
Judiciable
other laws can be judged against it
What is a uncodified constitution
- a less authoritative constitution which has the same status as ordinary law
- not entrenched but can be judiciable
what is a unitary constitution
a constitution in which there is a central power with ultimate authority over its jurisdiction.
what can happen in a unitary constitution
- power can be delegated to lower authorities
- power can be taken back by the central government
what is a famous example of a unitary constitution
The United Kingdom
what is a federal constitution
a constitution in which the power is divided between a central government and the various states, also known as shared sovereignty
what is a famous example of a federal constitution
The United States
what is Statute law
law made by parliament (not all of constitutional significance), that holds more power than common law
what is Common law
Laws created as a result of judicial rulings, not written down but common knowledge
what are Conventions
Customs or traditions that are so well respected they are viewed as law
what are Authoritative works
works by well respected authors that can be used to come to a ruling
what is an example of Statute law
Human Rights Act 1998
