nature and sources of the British constitution

Question 1

what are the natures of the UK constitution

Answer 1

• uncodified
• unitary
• rule of law
• parliamentary sovereignty

Question 2

what does unitary mean

Answer 2

all power derives from central government

Question 3

what does the rule of law mean

Answer 3

everyone is equally subject to the laws of the land - even governments and ministers can’t break laws

Question 4

define parliamentary sovereignty

Answer 4

parliaments laws cannot be struck down by a higher authority

Question 5

real example of rule of law being broken

Answer 5

in 2019 prime minister Boris Johnson was found by the courts to have acted illegally by attempting to suspend parliament for 5 weeks without its consent during the Brexit debates

Question 6

what are the 5 sources of the UKs constitution

Answer 6

• statute law
• common law
• conventions
• international treaties/conventions
• works of authority

Question 7

what is statute law

Answer 7

statute law overrides other laws due to parliamentary sovereignty

Question 8

what is common law

Answer 8

judge made law

Question 9

what is royal prerogative

Answer 9

the powers traditionally held by the monarch but now mainly held by the prime minister