the judiciary

Question 1

supreme court

Answer 1

comprises 12 justices. acts as the final court appeal for all cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as hearing appeals from civil cases in Scotland, and plays a key role in establishing legal precedent.

Question 2

judicial independence

Answer 2

the principle that those in the judiciary should be free from political control. such independence allows judges to ‘do the right thing’ and apply justice properly, without fear of the cosequences.

Question 3

judicial impartiality

Answer 3

where judges operate without their personal bias in their administration of justice. it is an essential requirement of the rule of law.

Question 4

separation of powers

Answer 4

the doctrine requires that the three elements of government power - legislative, executive and judicial - be held by separate branches of government in order to prevent tyranny.

Question 5

ultra vires

Answer 5

from the Latin meaning ‘beyond authority’.

Question 6

judicial review

Answer 6

the process by which judges review the actions of public officials or public bodies in order to determine whether or not they have acted in a manner that is lawful.