Understanding UK Constitutional Principles

📋 Course Outline

1. Branches of Power
2. Principles of the Constitution
3. Sources of the Constitution
4. Checks and Balances
5. Constitutional Reforms

📖 1. Branches of Power

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Legislative power : The legislative power is the function that makes laws through Parliament.
• Executive power : The executive power is the function that runs government decision-making and administration.
• Judiciary power : The judiciary power is the function that settles disputes through courts of justice.
• Parliament : Parliament is the institution combining the House of Commons and the House of Lords, acting with the Monarch for legislation.

📝 Essential Points

• In the UK, Parliament is made of the House of Commons plus the House of Lords together with the Monarch.
• The executive side includes Government, the Cabinet, and the Prime Minister.
• Courts provide judicial power, and there are Supreme Courts with 12 Justices (2009).

💡 Memory Hook

Legislature makes laws (Parliament), executive runs the country (Government/Cabinet/PM), judiciary settles disputes (courts).

📖 2. Principles of the Constitution

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions