The UK Constitution

Definition of Constitutional

In the past, the Monarch could refuse to sign bills; but today he or she has to sign any bill passed by the two chambers of Parliament.

In past centuries, the Parliament was inspired, and laws were dictated, by the Monarch and the Upper Chamber, known as the House of Lords. Since the 19th century, parliamentary power has been held by the elected members of the Lower House, known as the House of Commons. It is here that the Government of the day introduces and debates most new legislation, and for any new bill to become law, it must be "passed" (accepted) by the House of Commons, as well as by the House of Lords, and finally signed into law by the Monarch.

Legislative programmes are determined by the Government in power, known as "Her(his) Majesty's Government". In theory, the government is appointed by the Monarch; in practice, the monarch no longer has any choice in the matter. He or She appoints as Prime Minister the leader of the political

The United Kingdom operates under a parliamentary system of government. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the monarch's appointed representative, the Governor-General. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the party with a majority in the House of Commons; or, if no party has a majority, the leader of a coalition that has been agreed between party leaders. The Prime Minister then appoints the Ministers of "Her Majesty's government".

Since the British Parliament is supreme, the United Kingdom is a unitary state. It is neither federal nor confederal. While Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own parliaments or assemblies, with delegated powers, these regional governments are subordinate to the British Government in London. The British Parliament can, if it chooses to do so, take back any powers delegated to regional assemblies.

The main disadvantage of an uncodified constitution is that it is harder to understand. Another is that it is easier to amend than in countries with written constitutions with elaborate amendment procedures. But this flexibility can also be seen as an advantage: it has enabled the removal of hereditary peers from the House of Lords and the introduction of reforms.

Act 1998 is an important piece of legislation in the United Kingdom. It incorporates the rights and freedoms set out in the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. This means that individuals in the UK can rely on these rights and freedoms in domestic courts. Devolution to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Devolution is the process of transferring certain powers and responsibilities from the central government to regional governments. In the UK, devolution has taken place in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each of these regions has its own devolved government with the power to make decisions on certain matters, such as education, health, and transportation. Creation of the Supreme Court The creation of the Supreme Court in the UK was a significant constitutional change. Prior to its establishment in 2009, the highest court of appeal for most cases in the UK was the House of Lords. The Supreme Court replaced the House of Lords as the final court of appeal in the UK, ensuring the separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature. Common Law Common Law is an important part of the UK's uncodified constitution. It is a body of law that has developed over centuries through judicial decisions. Unlike a penal code or civil code, Common Law is not codified in a single document. It is based on the principle of precedent, meaning that decisions made by judges in previous cases are binding on future cases. However, Common Law can evolve and change over time to reflect societal changes and norms. International Conventions and Treaties The UK has signed up to numerous international conventions and treaties. These agreements can have an impact on the legality of actions or processes within the UK. For example, international conventions on marine pollution or human rights can determine the legal obligations of the UK in these areas. European Law European law also applies in the UK. The UK is a member of the European Union and has agreed to abide by EU law. According to the principle of Primacy, EU law takes precedence over UK law in the event of any incompatibility. This means that EU law can override UK law in certain circumstances.

Act gives effect to the human rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights. These rights are called Convention rights.