Flashcards: Understanding UK Constitutional Principles — 10 cards

Branches of Power — roles?

Legislative makes laws, executive runs government, judiciary settles disputes.

Principles — sovereignty?

Parliament is the supreme law-making authority.

Sources — main types?

Statute law, common law, conventions, EU law.

Checks and Balances — purpose?

Prevent executive domination, no checks on Parliament.

Constitutional Reforms — example?

Human Rights Act 1998, devolution, Fixed-Term Parliament Act.

Parliament — components?

House of Commons, House of Lords, Monarch.

Executive — structure?

Government, Cabinet, Prime Minister.

Judiciary — function?

Resolve disputes through courts, 12 Supreme Court Justices (2009).

Sovereignty — exercised?

Through laws, elections, Royal Assent.

Main sources — examples?

Bill of Rights 1689, Magna Carta 1215, EU Law.