Laws created by parliament in the form of Acts of Parliament, implemented by the executive and enforced by the courts
Statute law is the supreme source of constitutional law because PARLIAMENT IS SOVEREIGN
Historical statute laws in constitutional terms
Scotland Act, 1998
Human Rights Act, 1988
The Constitutional Reform Act, 2005
Fixed Term Parliaments Act, 2011
Common Law
Development of laws through historical usage and tradition
Created when judges in the UK’s higher courts use their power of judicial review to clarify or establish a legal position where a statute law is unclear
Conventions
Rules or norms of behaviour considered to be binding
Usage over an extended period of time gives them a degree of authority
Works of Authority
Authoritative works that help identify, interpret, and understand the core values that underpin the constitution
Hold persuasive authority but no legal authority
Works of Authority
Erskine May (1844)- regarded as the bible of parliamentary practice
AV Dicey (1885)- ‘twin pillars’ of the constitution
Walter Bagehot (1867)- set out the role of the cabinet and the PM
EU Law & Treaties
UK's membership in the EU subject to the laws and judgements of the European Courts of Justice
EU law takes precedence over UK law
UK's withdrawal from the EU has ultimately removed the 5th source of the UK constitution
