Public Law 2 Flashcards
What is J. Finnis’ definition of the rule of law
“The name commmonly given to the state of affairs in which a legal system is legally in good shape”
What are the two core things the rule of law requires
A system where everyone - including the government - is bound by law
A system where no-one - including the government - has unlimited/unconstrained power
What do formal theories of the rule of law include
They are concerned with the form and structure of a legal system only
What do substantive theories of the rule of law include
They are concerned with the form and structure of a legal system, as well as the substance (laws) within the system
Who is a formalist in the context of the rule of law
Joseph Raz
Who is substantive in the context of the rule of law
Lord Bingham
Do the courts endorse substantive theories?
Yes (or at least they have done)
What is an exmaple of when the courts have endorsed the substantive theory
R (Al-Rawi and Others) v Secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs [2006]
What are the two sources of executive power
Statute
Royal Prerogative
What is an example of the courts interpreting acts to uphold rule of law standards
Anisminic [1969]
What is judicial review, according to Elliot and Varuhaus?
“The principle court-based mechanism by which the legality of public authorities’ actions may be adressed”
What happens in judicial review
The lawfulness of the decisions of public authorities are challenged
What are the 4 main grounds for judicial review
illegality
irrationality
procedural improriety
violation of convention rights
When will judges be needed for judicial review
When all internal processes have been exhausted
What is the difference between substantive and procedural unfairness
Procedural - “the way this policy was made was unfair”
Substantive - “This policy is unfair”
Who decides the limits of a power?
The courts
What does fettering a decision mean?
When public bodies are given a power, they are required to exercise discretion and cannot adopt a set of rigid rules
Can a public body pass its decision making powers to anyone else?
no
What are the two circumstances when discretion may be used
for proper purposes
on the basis of relevant considerations
is royal prerogative subject to judicial review?
yes
What case showed that royal prerogative is subject to judicial review?
Council of civil service unions v Minister for the civil service [1985]
can acts of parliament be judicially reviewed?
no, due to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty
What are the three things required for procedural fairness?
requires a decision maker to take the steps that are suited to making a good decision
requires actions that promote responsible decision making
requires those things to be done by people who can be seen by a reasonable observer to be unbiased
What are the three types of case, according to McInnes v Onslow-fane [1978]
Forfeiture cases
expectation cases
application cases