Nature and Sources of the UK Constitution

This questionnaire will test your knowledge on the nature of the British Constitution. This is crucial to know in order to understand the basics of the constitution and all that follows it.

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Give a definition of a constitution.
A series of laws and rules that establishes the powers to the different institutions and power of the government
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What is the meaning of codified or codification?
When the rules and laws are written and contained within a single document.
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What is the difference between a federal and unitary state?
Unitary is when the legislative power lies with a single body of representative e.g. Parliament. Federal describes the delegation of powers to individual states e.g. USA
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Is the British Constitution unentrenched or entrenched?
Unentrenched
4 of 12
Define what entrenchment is.
When the laws that are contained within a codified constitution are not flexible and need special procedures to be changed e.g. the US constitution.
5 of 12
What is Parliamentary Sovereignty?
The phrase used to describe the ultimate, unrestricted power of Parliament to make, amend and pass laws.
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Why might some people say that Parliamentary Sovereignty has been challenged in past years?
Devolution and the EU.
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What are Parliamentary Statues?
The legislation and acts that are passed by Parliament e.g. Human Rights Act 1998.
8 of 12
Explain what Constitutional Conventions are.
A rule that is not written in law nor constitution, but is considered binding. It can be challenged by law but on moral grounds rarely, if ever, are challenged.
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What are authoritative writings?
They are documents that have been written and have been binding as they have been developed over time. For example, works on the rule of law.
10 of 12
When law is interpreted from statute law and developed from historical and traditional usage, what is this known as?
Common Law
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When there are certain, unchangeable, respectable rituals that occur every year, what is this known as?
Customs and Traditions
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the meaning of codified or codification?

Back

When the rules and laws are written and contained within a single document.

Card 3

Front

What is the difference between a federal and unitary state?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Is the British Constitution unentrenched or entrenched?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Define what entrenchment is.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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