Full Description
This textbook provides a thorough and accessible introduction to the basic principles of United Kingdom Constitutional and Administrative Law, including Human Rights Law. It has been revised and updated to reflect recent developments, both legal and political. The fundamental concepts of UK Constitutional and Administrative Law are explained in a clear, engaging, succinct style, making them straightforward for students to understand so they build up their knowledge of the subject systematically and thoroughly.
This book is also an essential starting point for more advanced law students and a valuable source of legal context for political science students alike. Both authoritative and accessible, it enables the reader to appreciate the nature and complexity of this most fundamental part of our legal system.
New to this Edition:
- Updated content on Brexit, in particular the changing relationship between Government and Parliament as reflected in the various votes which have taken place over the past few years.
- Questions about the nature of parliamentary proceedings, the role and independence of the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the prerogative power to prorogue Parliament
- Issues more tangentially related to Brexit such as the process for appointment of a new Prime Minister and arrangements in hung parliaments
- Important issues in relation to the position of the devolved governments and legislatures vis-à-vis Westminster and more broadly on the implications for creation of a written constitution
- The continuing utility (or otherwise) of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011
Contents
PART I: THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CONSTITUTION
1. Introduction: Constitutional Structures
2. Underlying Political Traditions
3. The Sources of the Constitution
4. Historical Landmarks
5. An Overview of the Main Institutions of the Constitution
PART II FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
6. The Rule of Law
7. The Separation of Powers
8. Parliamentary Sovereignty
PART III INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE CONSTITUTION
9. The State and the Outside World
10. The European Union and Brexit
PART IV: GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
11. Parliament: Constitutional Position
12. The Composition of Parliament and Parliamentary Elections
13. Parliamentary Procedure
14. The Crown
15. Ministers and Departments
16. Devolution
PART V: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
17. The Grounds of Judicial Review, I: Illegality and Ultra Vires
18. The Grounds of Judicial Review, II: Beyond Ultra Vires
19. Judicial Review Remedies and Procedure
20. Administrative Justice
PART VI: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
21. Human Rights and Civil Liberties
22. The Human Rights Act 1998
23. Freedoms of Expression and Assembly
24. Government Secrecy
25. Exceptional Powers: Security, Emergencies and Terrorism.
