The remedies granted in judicial review reflect the historical State-side prerogative order, namely certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus. Following revisions to court rules, effective since 1978, awards of damages and other remedies may be allowed. The remedies that may be awarded are now flexible. Certiorari quashes a decision, which is of no legal effect. It retrospectively […]
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000 established an Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commissioners are appointed by the Crown and regulate party finances, political parties, and election standards. They prepare reports on general elections as well as Assembly and European elections. They also keep under review the registration of political parties, political expenditure, […]
It is said that parliament is sovereign in the UK. Sovereignty, in this sense, refers to supreme legal and political authority. This principle is not provided for by legislation but is a longstanding and fundamental principle of the Constitution. Many countries that adopted written constitutions in modern times provide that the people are fully sovereign […]
Decisions and actions of public authorities may be challenged on the basis of procedural impropriety. The procedures may be specified by the statute concerned. They may arise from the rights of natural justice or Convention rights. Evolving grounds, procedural grounds for challenge imply obligations to act fairly, give reasons, and respect legitimate expectations. In many […]
Members of Parliament enjoy long-standing privileges. These privileges apply both to the Westminster Parliament and to the devolved Parliaments and Assemblies in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. A central aspect of parliamentary privilege is Parliament’s right to organize its own procedures. This follows from Parliament’s inherent sovereignty or supremacy. Parliamentary privilege is derived from long-standing […]
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament. Most legislation must be approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. However, the House of Lords is not an elected chamber and is constitutionally subordinate to the House of Commons. The House of Lords has its origins in […]
The Liberal Democrat Conservative coalition from 2010 to 2015 aimed to reform the model of NDPB public bodies. This drive was motivated by both policy considerations and as part of a substantial cost-cutting program with a focus on policy influence. The key driving factor behind this policy influence was accountability and the necessity for these […]
Bodies may also be directly responsible to select committees of Parliament, which are entitled to examine their administration, expenditure, and policies. The chief executive officer typically serves as the accounting officer and may be summoned before the Public Accounts Committee in matters related to finances. This is the usual practice regardless of whether the CEO […]
The Terrorism Act amended and updated anti-terrorism legislation. It replaces the previous legislation which was renewed annually. The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 gave additional powers to security forces following the September 2011 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. It sought to delay the terrorist finance and to enable agencies to collect their […]
Ombudsman have become a feature internationally in the last 50 years. There is a general Ombudsman, the Parliamentary Ombudsman with a wide remit in relation to administration and maladministration. There are also a number of Ombudsman in various sectors including Legal Services Commissioner, Housing Ombudsman, Banking Commissioner, Corporate Estate Agents Commissioner, Pensions Commissioner, Personal Investment […]
