Table of contents
Part 1 General foundations: constitutions - what are constitutions?, what goes into constitutions?, why is there no written British constitution?, aspects of classification; the British constitution - characteristics, the rule of law and the separation of powers, sources of British constitutional law, conventions of the constitution, constitutional reform; the United Kingdom - the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, devolution; ultimate authority in constitutional law - parliamentary sovereignty, foundations of the constitutional order, parliamentary sovereignty surveyed, legal limitations on parliamentary sovereignty, what is an act of parliament?, practical limitations on the legislative power of parliament; the United Kingdom and the European community - the community and constitutional law, political background, purposes and institutions, community law. Part 2 The executive: the crown and the royal prerogative - constitutional monarchy, legal rules affecting the monarchy, the royal prerogative; the royal prerogative in external affairs - general, treaties and treaty implementation, conclusive crown certificates, acts of state and legal proceedings, acts of state and individual rights; the Privy council; the prime minister and the cabinet - in general, choice of prime minister, the prime minister's powers, prime ministerial power - some correctives, cabinet committees and ministerial meetings, confidentiality of proceedings and papers; ministers, department and civil servants - central government, matters historical and legal, ministerial responsibility, the civil service; constitutional position of the armed forces - structure and status, military law and the civil law, superior orders, civilians and courts-martial; public boards and the economy - government and quasi-government bodies, the role of government in the mixed economy and the welfare state - a brief sketch, nationalized industries - legal and constitutional issues, privatization. Part 3 Parliament and legislation: parliament - background and framework - some basic rules, the role of parliament, the house of commons - elections and members - the electoral system, members, electoral campaigns, election petitions; the house of commons - functions and procedure - parties in the house, business of the house, legislation, legislative procedure, financial procedure, scrutiny of policy and administration; the house of lords - composition, functions and work of the house, disagreements between the two houses, judicial duties of the lords, approaches to reform; parliamentary privilege - general, privileges of the commons, parliamentary privilege and the courts; subordinate legislation - general, delegated legislation - function and fears, statutory instruments, safeguards. Part 4 Justice, police and local government. (Part contents).