The Constitution Flashcards
Define constitution
A set of rules determining where sovereignty lies in a political system, and establishing the relationship between the gov. And the governed
What does unentrenched mean?
A constitution with no special procedure for amendment
What does uncodified mean?
A constitution not contained in a single written document
Define unitary
A political system where all legal sovereignty is contained in a single place
What is parliamentary sovereignty
The principle that parliament can make, amend or unmake any law, and cannot bind its successors or be bound by its predecessors
What is the rule of law?
The principle that all people and bodies including the government must follow the law and can be held to account if they do not.
What is statute law
Law passed by Parliament
What is common law
Laws made by judges where the Lord does not cover the issue or is unclear
Define conventions
Traditions not contained in law but influential in the operation of a political system
Define authoritative works
Works written by experts describing how a political system is run, they are not legally binding but taken as significant guides
What are treaties
Final agreements with other countries usually ratified by Parliament
What is devolution
The dispersal it power ,but not sovereignty , within a political system
DEVELOPMENT OF THE UK CONSTITUTION- when was the Magna Carta introduces and what did it do?
Introduced in 1215 and established- principle- crown is not above the law and one cannot be punished without due process of law
What acts gradually removed power from the crown to parliament?
The Magna Carta act 1215
The bill of rights act 1689
The act of settlement 1701
