The Nature and Sources of the British Constitution Flashcards
(11 cards)
What does ‘uncodified constitution’ mean?
A constitution not contained in a single document, derived from various sources like statute law and conventions.
What is statute law?
Laws passed by Parliament.
What is common law?
Laws developed by judges through decisions in court.
What are constitutional conventions?
Unwritten rules that are followed by government, though not legally enforceable.
What is the royal prerogative?
Traditional powers of the monarch exercised by ministers, like declaring war or signing treaties.
What is the rule of law?
The idea that all individuals and the government are subject to the law.
What is parliamentary sovereignty?
Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK.
What is an authoritative opinion?
Scholarly writings (e.g., Dicey) that help interpret the constitution.
What is the significance of Magna Carta (1215)?
Limited royal power and affirmed the rule of law.
What was the Bill of Rights (1689)?
It established Parliament’s supremacy over the monarchy.
Name two examples of recent constitutional reform.
Human Rights Act (1998); Scottish Parliament (1999).
