3.1.1.1 Nature and Sources of British Constitution Flashcards
(23 cards)
What does ‘uncodified’ mean?
Not written in a single, unified document.
What does ‘unentrenched’ mean?
Can be changed easily by a simple Act of Parliament.
What does ‘unitary’ mean in terms of the UK Constitution?
Sovereignty is centralised in Parliament (not shared with regions).
What is meant by ‘constitutional monarchy’?
A monarchy whose powers are limited by a constitution and the law.
What is statute law?
Law made by Parliament (e.g. Human Rights Act 1998).
What is common law?
Law developed by judges through court decisions.
What are conventions?
Unwritten political customs (e.g. PM is head of majority party).
What are authoritative works?
Legal writings that explain the constitution (e.g. Dicey, Erskine May).
What is royal prerogative?
Traditional powers of the Crown, now used by ministers.
Is EU law still a source after Brexit?
Yes, where it’s retained in UK law or affects international obligations.
When was the Magna Carta signed?
1215
What did the Magna Carta introduce?
Rule of law and the right to a fair trial (habeas corpus).
Why is the Magna Carta significant?
First time royal power was limited by law.
When was the Bill of Rights passed?
1689
What are key principles in the Bill of Rights?
Parliamentary sovereignty, free elections, no taxation without Parliament.
Why is the Bill of Rights important?
Established Parliament’s power over the monarch.
When was the Act of Settlement passed?
1701
What did the Act of Settlement do?
Required monarch to be Protestant; gave Parliament more control over succession.
Why is the Act of Settlement significant?
Strengthened Parliamentary authority over the monarchy.
When were the Parliament Acts passed?
1911 and 1949
What did the Parliament Act 1911 do?
Removed House of Lords’ veto on money bills, limited other vetoes to 2 years.
What did the Parliament Act 1949 do?
Reduced Lords’ power to delay bills to 1 year.
Why are the Parliament Acts significant?
Confirmed the supremacy of the elected House of Commons.
