Week 1 - Source of law, etc Flashcards
Common law and Equity Civil and Criminal Law
1
Q
Definition of law
A
- system of rules
- sets boundaries of acceptable behaviour + prescribes sanctions for breaches of those boundaries… making significant contribution to preserving public order.
2
Q
Institutions of legal system
A
- Legislature (Parliament)
- Executive
- Judiciary
3
Q
Where do law comes from?
A
- UK Parliament
- Courts
- EU
- European Convention on Human Rights
- Historical sources/writers
- Welsh Assembly
4
Q
Who did Parliament take power from?
A
Monarch
5
Q
Which is the elected chamber?
A
- House of Lords
- House of Commons
6
Q
Who makes the laws?
A
Parliaments (House of Lords, House of Commons, Monarch)
7
Q
What do the House of Lords do?
A
Make + pass laws
8
Q
History of Parliament
A
- Ruled by king/queen = had power
- No democracy, voting + parliament
- Monarch rule based on fear + execution
- Monarchs believed they had God given right to rule
9
Q
What are the 2 key historical events that led to the foundation of today’s parliament?
A
- King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215
- Simon De Monford 1650
10
Q
English civil War (1651)
A
English civil war replaces the king making Parliament powerful
11
Q
Reason for English civil War
A
Disagreement’s about religion and discontent over king’s use of power and his economic polices.
12
Q
Rise of Parliament
A
- (1689) Bill of rights passed
- Rights of monarch = curtailed
- P = supreme power, recognised in law
- P gained power, were exercised by monarch. E.g. war, raising taxes, making law
13
Q
What is a legislation ?
A
- Law made by Parliament.
*Highest form of law w/in England + Wales
14
Q
What is a bill?
A
Law passed by Parliament
15
Q
What is a Statute (Act of Parliament)?
A
Bill being passed
