North / South Ministerial Council The North/South Ministerial Council was established to bring together those with executive responsibilities in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government, to develop consultation, co-operation and action within the island of Ireland – including through implementation on an all-island and cross-border basis – on matters of mutual interest within the competence […]
British-Irish Council The British-Irish Council (BIC) was established under a British-Irish (Good Friday) Agreement to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands. Membership of the BIC comprises representatives of the British and Irish Governments, devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and, if […]
1921-1972 The island of Ireland formerly constituted a single country and legal system which prior to 1919/22 was part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland was established as a separate legal system by the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Under this legislation, a considerable amount of governmental powers were devolved to Northern Ireland. The transferred […]
The Northern Ireland Act 1998 as amended, in effect comprises the Constitution of Northern Ireland. It declares that Northern Ireland in its entirety remains part of the United Kingdom and shall not cease to be so without the consent of a majority of the people in Northern Ireland. There is provision for a poll in […]
The UK Supreme Court is not bound to follow the Court of Human Rights decisions. It is obliged by the Human Rights Act to take them into account. It may choose not to do so if impractical, inappropriate, or it affects the ability of the court to engage in a constructive dialogue with the European […]
Traditionally, parliamentary sovereignty has been a basic principle of the UK Constitution. The European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms was formulated by an International Treaty after the Second World War. The Convention was drafted and adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe. It guarantees the protection of basic human rights against […]
Northern Ireland, together with the 26 counties now constituting the Republic of Ireland, formerly constituted a single country and legal system which, prior to 1920, was part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland was established as a separate legal system by the Government of Ireland Act 1921. Under this legislation, a considerable amount of governmental […]