Precedent Flashcards
Can courts divert from precedent?
The SC can when it appears right to do so - not just because a decision is wrong, but because a previous decisions causes injustice, impedes the development of law or itself causes uncertainty
Who is bound by the SC
The SC itself and all the lower courts
Who is bound by the CoA?
The CoA itself and all the lower courts
When can the CoA depart from its own previous decisions?
- it conflicts with another one from itself
- it’s been implicitly overruled by the SC
- was made per incuriam (through carelessness)
Is departing from a decision because it was made per incuriam (carelessly) the same as reversing it?
No
Are decisions from the High Court binding on itself?
Yes if it’s under the Administrative Court, but not if it’s in the other branches (although judges try to not depart much)
Are High Court decisions binding on lower courts?
Yes
Can the County Court set precedent or bind?
No
Can the Family Court set precedent or bind?
No
How does a decision become precendent?
1) there is a proposition of law
2) which is part of the ratio decidendi of a case
3) which is decided in a court whose decision are binding on the present court
4) and the 2 cases cant be distinguished
What is an obiter statement?
A statement/proposition of law that is nor relevant in the case but is significant for the future
What is affirming in the context of precedent?
When a higher court agrees with an appeal from a lower court
What is “applying” in the case of precedents?
When a court states it is adopting statements or reasoning from other decisions
What is departing in the context of precendents?
When a court of one level disagrees with a previous decision, on another matter, by a court of same level.
What is overruling in the context of precedents?
When a higher court comments on a previous unrelated decisions by a lower cout and declares it to be wrong
What is reversing ?
When a higher court disagrees with an earlier decision of lower courts on the same proceedings (basically whenever an appeal succeeds)
When can the High Court depart from its precedent?
When it is found to have been made per incuriam (through carelessness)
Note that only the Administrative Court binds itself - the other branches don’t actually have this power, although the judges will generally try to avoid disagreeing
When does the in pecurian principle apply?
When the court appears to have relied on incorrect law
Is the County Court bound by the High Court?
Yes but it can find to disagree
How does criminal jurisprudence differ from civil?
It is usually only ever drawn from appelate decisions (whilst in civil most ratio decidendi can be precendent)
Can there be an appeal from one area of the High Court to another?
No - only to higher courts
Can there be an appeal by way of case stated in the High Court?
No - only Crown Court
What will allow a leapfrog appeal?
Urgent need to obtain authoritative interpretation
Can unlawfully obtained evidence be admitted?
Yes
Unless it has an adverse effect on the fairness of proceedings
Are constitutional convenctions binding?
They are considered binding to the extent that there should be no deviation from them, but there is no enforcement per se
What is the Salisbury Convention?
HoL will not reject legislation that gives effect to an important manifesto commitment of the democratically ellect gov
What is the Sewel Convention
The UK parliament will normally only legislate on a matter that has been devolved to the Scottish P if the latter gives consent
Is an Act that breaches a convention unconstitutional?
Might be but the courts won’t refuse it for that reason (and there would be no legal remedy if that were the sole reason)
What are prerogative powers
Non-statutory
Can be used by Government but not in a way that contradicts statutory power and may need Parliament’s voting approval (eg if its to authorise expenditure)
What can Gov do if they have lost a case in the SC?
Introduce legislation into Parliament to retrospectively change the law and effectively override the judgement
What is a sub judice
A formal law of Parliament following the Bill of Rights 1689 (NOT constitutional convention)
What are the superior courts in the UK
Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
High Court
Crown Court
What are the inferior courts in the UK
County Court
Magistrates Court
Family Court
Which are trial courts
Those that will hear the matter at first instance and rule on issues of fact and law
CIVIL:
High Court
Family Court
County Court
CRIMINAL
Crown Court
Magistrate’s Court
Which are the appellate courts
Those that reconsider the application of legal principles to a case that has already been heard by a lower court
Allows errors of law, and occasionally fact and procedure, to be corrected
CIVIL
Court of Appeal
High Court (all 3 divisions)
Family Court
CRIMINAL
Court of Appeal
High Court (only KBD)
Appeal route for summary trials
Appeal route for trials on indictment
What is the Enrolled Act rule
Once an Act of Parliament has been entered onto the Parliamentary roll, courts will not question its validity or hold it do be void
Courts can’t even investigate proceedings that have taken place in P to determine whether there has been any irregularity of procedure or fraud
What did the Acts of Union did?
18th century Acts which helped form the UK and made it explicit that preservation of a separate Scottish legal system and the Church of Scotland
What was the impact of the Scottish Act 2016?
Increased the range of devolved powers, including power to vary income tax rates and thresholds
a) Scottish P and Scottish Gov are permanent parts of the UK’s constitutional arrangements
b) neiter Scottish P nor Scottish Gov can cease exsiting without a referendum
c) UK P will not normally legislate on devolved matters without consent of the Scottish P (Sewel convention)
Can the Scot P pass Acts? (primary leg)
Yes, technically it can
But it can only rule on matters not reserved by UK P and it’s powers also come from an UK P Act (Scotland Act) = may only legislate to the extent that it is given power to do so by the UK P
Can P repeal any previous Act?
Doctrine of implied repeal may not appeal to ‘constitutional statutes’ - P needs to show actual intention (express words, so specific) for it to be repealed
What is the difference between constitutional statutes and ordinary statutes?
constitutional statutes are:
a) condition the legal relationship between citizen and state in some general, overarching manner, OR
b) changes the scope of fundamental constitutional rights
What is the entrenchment theory (manner and form)?
Discussion that although P can’t bind future P as of content of legislation, could bind it by enforcing difficult procedures for passing leg
(for example, saying that such Act would only be repealed by popular referendum or specified majority)
Can an earlier Parliament bind a future P?
Doctrine of express and implied repeal prevent earlier P from binding future P as to CONTENT of legislation. But there is debate regarding binding over the PROCEDURE which future P must use to enact legislation (this is the manner and form, or entrenchement theory)
**exception of Acts of P that enact EU leg: they retain supremacy
What are Henry VIII powers?
Powers included in legislation introduced by Gov - permits relevant ministers to amend or even repeal the statute and sometimes other states as well by delegated leg without reference back to P (i.e permit ministers to make changes to Acts of P through delegated legislation)
Does rule of law trump partliamentary sovereingytN
Unclear - maybe
Supremacy of EU law
During time when UK was in EU and throughout transition period (from date of whitdrawl) until actual leaving date (31 Dec 2020) (Withdrawal Agreement)
Types of EU legislation
Primary source: treaties (set out institutional framework + powers + give power to legislate in various areas by adopting secondary leg)
Secondary Legislation:
a) Regulations
b) Directives
c) Decisions
d) Recommendations and opinions
What are EU Regulations
(secondary leg)
directly applicable and automatically binding on all Member States without need for any further leg by Member States
What are EU Directives
(second type of secondary leg)
set out objectives to be achieved and oblige Member States to pass domestic legislation to implement those objectives (set a date)
What are EU Decisions
(third type of secondary leg)
directly binding in the same way as regulations but only on those addressed (member states, companies, individuals)
What are EU recommendations and opinions
last type of secondary leg
not binding
What is vertical direct effect
EU legislation have direct impact (being enforced) against state or state body
What is horizontal direct effect
EU legislation being enforced against private bodies
what type of EU legislation can have vertical and horizontal effect
regulations and decisions
what type of EU legislation can only have vertical effect
directives
how can an EU legislation have direct effect
- needs to be sufficiently clear
- precise and unconditional
- must not require any additional measures, either at national or EU level
**for directives also need to have a time limit
What was the effect of the ECA in UK legislation?
UK courts had to read legislation in a way compliant with EU law (doctrine of indirect effct) AND if it was not possible, courts had to give precedence to directly effective EU law and set aside inconsistent national legislation
Was EU law subject to implied repeal?
no
Could the state be held liable by citizens against non-implementation of EU law?
yes, potentially.
If the state failed to implement a directive (vertical leg) which then had a negative effect on a citizen (eg an employee), this individual could seek damages against gov
(because directive is vertical and only concerns state bodies, employee wouldn’t be able to seek damages against employer thus gov was best solution)
Does the principle of EU supremacy still apply?
yes, to retained EU law = if there is a conflict between pre-Brexit EU law and pre-Brexit UK law, EU law will take priority
Examples of retained EU law
- EU-derived domestic legislation (secondary leg and Acts of parliament which were used to enact EU law at the time)
- Direct EU legislation (those that apply directly to the UK, such as regulations and decisions)
- rights arising under s2(1) ECA 1972 (EU rights and obligations that do not fall under either of the 2 categories above)
are domestic courts bound to follow ECtHR judgement/HRA?
must take it into account, but not bound (although in practice normally do follow)
+
primary and secondary leg must be interpreted in accordance with convention rights ‘so far as it is possible’ (for both leg before and after HRA)
+
court is allowed to make declaration of incompability, which does not invalidate or affect operation of offending Act
–> a minister introducing a bill into P must first make a declaration of compatibility (or not) but incompatibility won’t stop HoC from proceeding with Bill
= weak method of incorporation (compared w incorporation of ECA)
does a declaration of incompatibility invalidate legislation?
no
simply a legal statement that in the opinion of the court, the legislation contravenes the ECHR
+ no legal obligation to amend it (although it may be attached to a political pressure)
What is the view on P freedom of speech?
Controversial - originally privileged only covering proceedings in P
but this can be extended
general rule: privilege encompasses ancillary matters such as words spoken or written and actions taken outside core proceedings themselves but which are of necessity connected to those proceedings
Example of how P freedom of speech has changed
Claiming Hansard to take into account statements made by P ministers or other promotes of a bill when construing legislation (when its wording is obscure or ambiguous) is something that would have been considered a breach of privilege before
Can courts question validity of an Act on the basis that the correct procedures have not been followed?
no
this is in line with P’s doctrine of ‘exclusive cognisance’
Is examination of MP’s expenses by courts against the core essential doctrines of P?
no
can do it
although P did set up the IPSA (Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) to deal oversee and regulate MP’s expenses
Are MPs immune from civil and criminal proceedings?
Yes - regarding anything they say in parliamentary proceedings (even if absolutely defamation)
Privilege is ABSOLUTE
BUT
courts have decided that criminal proceedings may be brought againsts MPs for false accounting in relation to expenses claims, as this does not interfere w P’s core business
Can MPs be arrested for something they do during proceedings (eg slap another MP)
Yes because parliamentary privilege will only prevent civil arrest WHILE Parliament IS IN SESSION not criminal arrest.
Problem with Henry VIII powers
Allowing use on a regular basis may damage P sovereingty
Henry VIII powers enable the substance of large Bills to be processed by Parliament while leaving the details to the executive. This may mean there is a lack of clarity such that Parliament have not had the opportunity to debate the full terms of the proposed legislation. This issue was raised by the Lord Chief Justice in 2010 (Lord Judge) who said that if it occurred too frequently there would be a risk of damaging the sovereignty of Parliament
What is the key difference between a federal state and the UK?
Whilst the UK has devolved powers, P remains supreme and could legally revoke those powers - it retains power to legislate on devolved matters and override devolved legislatures
+ unlike federal state, power is not divided between the different levels of gov (still centralised)
Can Scottish P pass primary leg?
Yes, can pass their Acts of Scottish Parliament, which also receives Royal Assent
Which Acts of the ScotP would not be considered law?
Any outside their legislative competence
This includes:
- law of any territory other than Scot
- laws related to reserved matters
- laws modifying certain enactments, including specified provisions of the Union w Scoland Act insofar as they relate to freedom of trade, EU Withdrawl Act, HRA
- laws incompatible with the ECHR and, until the transition period ended, with EU law
- would remove the Lord Advocate from their position as head of the systems of criminal
prosecution and investigation of deaths
**minister in charge of bill must make statement that provisions are within scottish legislative competence
What statements must be made when ScotP passes an act?
Statement of legislative competence from minister passing bill and another one from Presiding Officer
What happens if the Presiding Officer’s statement of legislative competence declares it outside?
They should give reasons for it but is not conclusive and does not preclude bill from proceeding
–> the bill can be referred to the SC to check compatibility
What happens if a provision of a Scot Act can be read as outside its legislative competence?
should be read narrowly as required for it to be within competence
Does the Sewel Convention affect P sovereingty?
no - there is no legal obligation for P to seek Scot consent before passing leg (eg as it was in the EU)
technically only provides a political constraint - not role of courts to police it
HOWEVER, when P wants to legislate on a devolved matter, it usually seeks ScotP consent
How does ScotP give consent to UK legislating on devovled matters?
Legislative Consent Motions (LCMs)
How can devolved institutions be abolished (ScotP, Senedd Cymru, WelshP)?
Referendum
Can the National Assembly (wales) pass primary leg?
Yes - Act of Senedd (AoS), which also requires Royal Assent
On what can the Senedd legislate?
All powers not explicitly reserved by P (eg defence, foreign affairs, immigration, constitutional matters) (reserved powers model)
Big difference in devolved powers in Senedd and ScotP?
Criminal justice is devolved in NorthernI and ScotP, but reserved in Senedd (although Senned could create new offences relating to devolved matters)
+ Senedd also has special tax powers (so does ScotP)
Does the Senedd have legislative restrictions?
Yes, very similar to ScotP - Act outside their competence is not law
= minister introducing must make same statement as ScotP (and these can be referred to SC if incompatible)
Can Senedd enact secondary leg?
Yes, on both UK and Welsh parent act (subject to affirmate and negative procedure)
Is Wales a separate jurisdiction?
no
Is scotland a separate jurisdiction?
yes
is NI a separate jurisdiction?
yes
3 strands of Good Friday Agreement
1) democratically elected assembly with a power-sharing executive
2) North-South council (develops policies on agriculture, education, environemnt)
3) British-Irish Council (with basically everyone to ensure harmonious and mutual beneficial relationships)
How is power given to the N.I Assembly?
Follows the reserved powers model, but calls it ‘transferred matters’
How is an act passed in NI Assembly?
minister in charge of a bill must make a statement on or before its introduction that its within the legislative competence of the Assembly. The Presiding Officer
(the Assembly’s equivalent to the Speaker) must refer to the Secretary of State any bill that the Presiding Officer considers relates to an excepted or reserved matter.
Entrenched legislation that NI Assembly cannot amend?
HRA 1998, NIA 1998, ECA 1972 (until transition period ended), or leg that discriminates against any person or class on religious or political beliefs
Difference between Sewel Convention in NI and Scot and Wales
In NI it does not have statutory recognition
How can a legislation passed by a devolved legislature come before the SC?
1) be refereed by a devolved or UK law officer (including AG) (bill which has been passed but not received royal assent yet)
2) through an appeal from certain higher courts in England, Wales, Scot, NI
3) through a reference from certain appellate courts
Can devolved legislatures be challenged on common law grounds (eg irrationality)?
NO
only on grounds that it overrules reserved matter/violates the ECHR
What is the Joint Ministerial Committee?
A set of committees with ministers from the UK and devolved govs to provide central co-ordination of the relationship
There are also sub-commmittees, such as the JMC EUrope and the JMC EU Negotiations
What are NI ‘excepted matters’?
Those that will always remain UK P responsibility: Areas specifically listed; eg defence, foreign affairs, UK-wide taxation
NI reserved matters:
Currently UK P responsibility but NI Assembly may be asked to be transferred:
eg broadcasting, consumer safety,
intellectual property
NI transferred matters:
Everything not excepted/reserved, eg
agriculture, environment, health,
justice and policing
!! be careful to remember that for other devolved legislature, devolved matters carry the meaning that transferred matters have in NI
does the Enrolled Act rule apply to devolved legislature?
no
Can P legislate contrary to fundamental principles of human rights?
Technically yes (P sovereingty) but the principle of legality (coming from rule of law) requires P to squarely confront what its doing and accept the political costs