uk constitution

• What are two reasons why we need laws?

  To maintain order and protect rights
• Which three bodies/groups make law?

  Government, Parliament, and Judges
• Is R v Thomas 2019 a civil or criminal case?

  Criminal
• Is Bletchley v Thomas 1992 a civil or criminal case?

  Civil
• Is DPP v Smith 1972 a civil or criminal case?

  Criminal
• What is the difference between Government and Parliament?

  Government executes laws; Parliament makes laws
• What is the UK Constitution?

  A formal document outlining state laws
• What are the three sources of UK law?

  Statute law, common law, and EU law
• Who is Parliament?

  The supreme legislative body in the UK
• What is the pre-legislative process?

  Preparation before a bill is introduced
• What are the types of Bills in the pre-legislative process?

  Public, private, and hybrid bills
• What are the legislative stages?

  Introduction, debate, committee, and approval
• What are the effects of the Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949?

  Limitations on the House of Lords' power
• What are the advantages of primary legislation?

  Provides clear legal authority and stability
• What are the disadvantages of primary legislation?

  Can be inflexible and slow to change
• What is a written constitution?

  A formal document outlining fundamental laws
• What is an unwritten constitution?

  A selection of rules and conventions
• What does AV Dicey mean by "no sanction without breach"?

  No punishment without breaking the law
• What is an example of "one law governs all"?

  Prorogation of Parliament 2019
• What does "fusion" mean in the context of law?

  Overlap of powers among state functions
• Who created the Separation of Powers theory?

  Montesquieu
• What theory did AV Dicey create?

  Parliamentary Sovereignty
• Who was locked up without charge against "no sanction without breach"?

  Belmarsh Prisoners
• Provide one example of fusion in law.

  Statutory Instruments for road closures
• Explain the process of making an Act of Parliament.

  1. Proposal of a Bill
  2. First Reading
  3. Second Reading
  4. Committee Stage
  5. Report Stage
  6. Third Reading
  7. House of Lords consideration
  8. Royal Assent
• Explain the Rule of Law doctrine.

  • No one is above the law
  • Laws must be clear and public
  • Rights are protected by the judiciary
  • Laws are enforced equally
• Explain the Separation of Powers doctrine.

  • Division of government responsibilities
  • Executive: Proposes laws
  • Legislative: Creates laws
  • Judiciary: Enforces laws
• Explain the Parliamentary Sovereignty doctrine.

  • Parliament can make or unmake any law
  • No Parliament can bind another
  • Acts cannot be challenged by courts
• Why is the UK’s Constitution different from other countries?

  It is unwritten and flexible
• What is the name of the first theory that underpins our constitution?

  Rule of Law
• What are the three elements of the Rule of Law?

  Clarity, equality, and protection of rights
• Who created the concept of Parliamentary Sovereignty?

  AV Dicey
• When the powers of the state overlap their functions, what is this called?

  Fusion
• What is the significance of the Coronavirus Act 2020?

  It exemplifies Parliamentary Sovereignty
• What does the Human Rights Act 1998 allow?

  Judicial scrutiny of laws
• What is the European Communities Act 1972?

  It facilitated UK's entry into the EU
• What is the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020?

  It formalized UK's exit from the EU
• What is the role of judges in the UK’s unwritten constitution?

  To protect individual rights through decisions
• What is the significance of the Human Rights Act 1998 (s4)?

  It allows courts to declare laws incompatible
• What is the impact of judicial review on Parliamentary Sovereignty?

  It allows scrutiny of laws by courts