The UK Constitution

The UK consitution is a framework of rules that legitimise all lawful & legal activity within the UK's system of government.

-These rules have been accumulated over hundreds of years

-Many are written down but many are not

-Our constitution is uncodified

-It is therefore unique and unlike any other constitution

Magna Carta 1215- established the principle that the King was not above the law, and 'habeas corpus', meaning 'no one can be detained wihtout due process of law'.

Bill of Rights 1689- gave legal force to certain 'ancient rights and liberties'

Act of Settlement 1701- Parliament now had the right to determine the succession & the sole power to dismiss judges

Act of Union 1707- United the parliaments of England & Scotland into one 'indissoluble' union. Scottish law remained independent from English law. 

Parliament Acts 1911 & 1949- Limited the powers of the House of Lords and signalled the primacy of the House of Commons. Reduced the power of the House of Lords to delay legislation from two years to one year

European Communities Act 1972- Saw the accession of the UK to the EU(then the 'Common Market' and later the EEC and EC).

European Union Withdrawal Agreememnt 2020- gave legal effect to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement following the Brexit referendum.

Basically, every law that changes the way the UK political system works becomes a…