Sources Of The UK Constitution

Question 1

Key historical documents

Answer 1

Magna Carta 1215
Bill of rights 1689
Acts of settlement 1701
Parliaments Acts 1911 and 1949
The European Communities Act 1972

Question 2

5 sources

Answer 2

Statute law
Common law
Works of authority
Conventions
Treaties (EU)

Question 3

Statute law

Answer 3

The most significant source of the UKs const

Laws passed by parl, parl = sovereign which means that statute law is sovereign

Question 4

Works of Authority

Answer 4

Books written to help explain the workings of the Uks uncodified const.
E.g. the book: Parliamentary Practice

Question 5

Common Law

Answer 5

Case Law

Question 6

Conventions

Answer 6

Traditions and customs that have developed over centuries throughout the UKs evolutionary system

They arent laws

Question 7

Treaties (EU)

Answer 7

E.g. The Maastricht Treaty 1992

Question 8

Relationships between the sources

Answer 8

EU laws take precedence over all other sources —> now replaced by statute laws after Brexit

Statute Law supersedes all other sources

Common law cannot contradict statute law but has equal authority to it

Authoritative works and conventions arent binding but considered extremely strong guidance