The UK Constitution Flashcards
What is meant when people refer to the UK’s ‘unwritten constitution’?
There is no single, definitive constitutional document. The constitution is contained in several different sources.
Parliament
The combination of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Bills passed by this institution become Acts upon receiving the assent of the Monarch.
The Crown
Technically head of all institutions of the statute.
Represented in the person of the Queen, this institution has prerogative powers and gives its assent (approval) to legislation
The House of Commons
The elected part of the UK legislature.
MPs are members of this institution once elected by their constituency on the basis of a ‘first past the post’ voting system.
The Courts
This institution has the constitutional responsibility to interpret and apply the law in disputes which come before it, both legislation and common law.
The Executive
Traditionally implements the law made by Parliamant.
Includes the police, the government, the armed forces, the civil service and many other services.
The Government
The ‘political executive’, usually consisting of MPs and Peers who are representatives of the largest political party in the House of Commons.
Includes the cabinet.
The House of Lords
The unelected second chamber in Parliament. Consists of Peers, most of whome are appointed for lifre.
Since the reform in 1999, 92 hereditary peers remain.
What are 3 countries with a codified constitution?
- France
- United States
- India
What are 3 countries without a codified constitution?
- UK (technically not a country :) )
- Israel
- New Zealand
How did Viscount Bolingbroke define ‘constitution’?
“By constitution we mean […] that assemblage of laws, institutions and customs, derived from certain fixed principles of reason, directed to certain fixed objects of public good, that compose the general system, according to which the community hath agreed to be governed.”
Which is the highest source of law in the UK’s domestic legal order?
Act of Parliament
Which institution makes the Common law?
The courts
Which institution makes statutes?
The Queen in Parliament
Which institution makes Secondary Legislation?
The Government
