Which Act created the UK Supreme Court?

The UK Supreme Court was created by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 .

Define judicial review .

Judicial review is the process by which the courts assess whether decisions or actions by the executive comply with the law.

The UK Supreme Court began operating in .

The UK Supreme Court began operating in 2009 .

How many justices sit on the UK Supreme Court?

The UK Supreme Court consists of 12 justices .

Define judicial independence .

Judicial independence refers to the ability of judges to make decisions free from political pressure and without fear of removal or punishment.

True or False? Judicial review can strike down Acts of Parliament.

False. Judicial review cannot strike down Acts of Parliament because of parliamentary sovereignty.

Define judicial neutrality .

Judicial neutrality refers to judges not expressing political views and deciding cases based on law rather than opinion.

What did the Supreme Court rule in Miller v Prime Minister (2019)?

In Miller v Prime Minister (2019), the Court ruled that the prorogation of Parliament was unlawful because it frustrated Parliament's constitutional role of scrutiny.

Ultra vires means 'beyond their power', allowing the courts to declare an action unlawful when a minister or public body exceeds the authority given by statute.

Supreme Court judges usually sit in panels of , although seven or more may sit for cases of major constitutional importance.

Supreme Court judges usually sit in panels of five , although seven or more may sit for cases of major constitutional importance.

What did the Supreme Court establish about prerogative powers when it blocked the government triggering Article 50?

The Supreme Court established that prerogative powers cannot be used to bypass Parliament , ruling in Miller v Brexit Secretary (2017) that an Act of Parliament was required to trigger Article 50 and so reinforcing parliamentary sovereignty.

True or False? The Supreme Court depends on the executive to implement its rulings.

True. The Court has no enforcement powers and relies on the executive to comply with its rulings.

Define a vote of no confidence .

A vote of no confidence allows Parliament to remove a government that loses the confidence of the House of Commons.

What can happen to a government that loses a vote of no confidence, as James Callaghan's did in 1979?

A government can be forced to call a general election and leave office , as happened when Callaghan's Labour government lost the 1979 vote of no confidence.

The House of Lords can delay bills by up to .

The House of Lords can delay bills by up to one year .

Define the whip system .

The whip system is used to ensure MPs vote in line with the government.

How does a large Commons majority, such as Tony Blair's in 1997, strengthen the executive?

A large majority lets the government pass legislation with relative ease , as Blair's 1997 landslide enabled extensive constitutional reform.

True or False? The House of Lords can block money bills.

False. The House of Lords cannot block money bills.

Define prerogative powers .

Prerogative powers allow the executive to act without parliamentary consent in some areas.

Even a large majority is not , as shown when Blair was defeated in 2005 over his 90-day detention proposals.

Even a large majority is not absolute , as shown when Blair was defeated in 2005 over his 90-day detention proposals.

What prerogative action did Rishi Sunak take in 2024 without parliamentary approval?

Rishi Sunak launched air strikes on Yemen in 2024 without parliamentary approval.

True or False? The executive is usually drawn from the largest party in the House of Commons.

True. Because the executive is usually drawn from the largest party in the Commons, it often dominates Parliament in practice.

Define legislative control .

Legislative control is Parliament's power to pass the Acts required to authorise certain executive powers.

How is the relationship between Parliament and the executive best summarised?

The relationship is best understood as executive dominance constrained by parliamentary scrutiny .

How many countries make up the European Union?

The European Union is made up of 27 European countries .

The UK officially left the EU on .

The UK officially left the EU on 31 January 2020 .

In which year did UK voters choose to leave the EU?

UK voters chose to leave the EU in the Brexit referendum of 2016 .

Define the EU's four freedoms .

The EU's four freedoms are the free movement of goods, services, people and capital across member states.

Which 1992 treaty developed the EU beyond an economic union?

The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 developed the EU beyond an economic union.

The three pillars of the Maastricht Treaty were European Communities, Common foreign and security policy, and .

The three pillars of the Maastricht Treaty were European Communities, Common foreign and security policy, and Justice and home affairs .

True or False? Pillar 1 of the Maastricht Treaty resulted in pooled sovereignty from member states.

True. Pillar 1, European Communities, crucially resulted in pooled sovereignty from member states.

Which Act repealed the European Communities Act 1972?

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 repealed the European Communities Act 1972.

Leaving the EU has had a negative impact, with studies suggesting UK GDP is 6 to 8% smaller in 2025 than if the UK had remained.

Leaving the EU has had a negative economic impact, with studies suggesting UK GDP is 6 to 8% smaller in 2025 than if the UK had remained.

Define retained law .

Retained law is EU law that was converted into UK law when the UK left the EU.

Which framework attempted to resolve Northern Ireland's position after Brexit?

The Windsor Framework attempted to resolve Northern Ireland's position, balancing UK sovereignty with the Republic of Ireland remaining in the EU.

True or False? Scotland voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.

False. Scotland voted to remain in the EU and has since discussed a second independence referendum.

Define legal sovereignty .

Legal sovereignty refers to where the law says ultimate political authority resides, which in the UK is Parliament.

Name one institution besides Parliament that may claim political sovereignty in the UK.

Devolved assemblies , elected mayors and other political bodies may claim political sovereignty in the UK.

Define political sovereignty .

Political sovereignty refers to where power lies in practice, focusing on who can actively exercise political power.

True or False? Referendums in the UK are legally binding.

False. Referendums are not legally binding and can only be called by Parliament, which underpins parliamentary sovereignty.

Which two Miller cases saw the Supreme Court uphold the sovereignty of Parliament over the executive?

Miller v Brexit Secretary (2017) and Miller v PM (2019) upheld the sovereignty of Parliament over the executive.

Parliament demonstrated its supremacy over devolved bodies by vetoing the Scottish Act.

Parliament demonstrated its supremacy over devolved bodies by vetoing the Scottish Gender Recognition Act.

Define the Backbench Business Committee .

The Backbench Business Committee is a cross-party committee of MPs that decides when Commons time is given to debates chosen by backbench MPs, rather than by the government.

Which two Acts allow the executive to overcome challenges from the House of Lords?

The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 allow the executive to overcome challenges from the House of Lords.

True or False? Backbench power in the House of Commons has increased since 2010.

True. Backbench power has increased since 2010, including greater use of urgent questions and the creation of the Backbench Business Committee.

Why does sovereignty lying with the Supreme Court raise concerns?

It raises concerns because judges are unelected and there are relatively few checks on judicial power.

The overall judgement concludes that sovereignty in the UK today is flexible and .

The overall judgement concludes that sovereignty in the UK today is flexible and shared .

Which policy U-turn illustrates sovereignty lying with the people?

Starmer's two-child benefit cap U-turn illustrates sovereignty lying with the people through public opinion.

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Which Act created the UK Supreme Court?

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Cards in this collection (48)

Which Act created the UK Supreme Court?
The UK Supreme Court was created by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
Define judicial review.
Judicial review is the process by which the courts assess whether decisions or actions by the executive comply with the law.
The UK Supreme Court began operating in .
The UK Supreme Court began operating in 2009.
How many justices sit on the UK Supreme Court?
The UK Supreme Court consists of 12 justices.
Define judicial independence.
Judicial independence refers to the ability of judges to make decisions free from political pressure and without fear of removal or punishment.
True or False?
Judicial review can strike down Acts of Parliament.
False.
Judicial review cannot strike down Acts of Parliament because of parliamentary sovereignty.
Define judicial neutrality.
Judicial neutrality refers to judges not expressing political views and deciding cases based on law rather than opinion.
What did the Supreme Court rule in Miller v Prime Minister (2019)?
In Miller v Prime Minister (2019), the Court ruled that the prorogation of Parliament was unlawful because it frustrated Parliament's constitutional role of scrutiny.
Define ultra vires.
Ultra vires means 'beyond their power', allowing the courts to declare an action unlawful when a minister or public body exceeds the authority given by statute.
Supreme Court judges usually sit in panels of , although seven or more may sit for cases of major constitutional importance.
Supreme Court judges usually sit in panels of five, although seven or more may sit for cases of major constitutional importance.
What did the Supreme Court establish about prerogative powers when it blocked the government triggering Article 50?
The Supreme Court established that prerogative powers cannot be used to bypass Parliament, ruling in Miller v Brexit Secretary (2017) that an Act of Parliament was required to trigger Article 50 and so reinforcing parliamentary sovereignty.
True or False?
The Supreme Court depends on the executive to implement its rulings.
True.
The Court has no enforcement powers and relies on the executive to comply with its rulings.
Define a vote of no confidence.
A vote of no confidence allows Parliament to remove a government that loses the confidence of the House of Commons.
What can happen to a government that loses a vote of no confidence, as James Callaghan's did in 1979?
A government can be forced to call a general election and leave office, as happened when Callaghan's Labour government lost the 1979 vote of no confidence.
The House of Lords can delay bills by up to .
The House of Lords can delay bills by up to one year.
Define the whip system.
The whip system is used to ensure MPs vote in line with the government.
How does a large Commons majority, such as Tony Blair's in 1997, strengthen the executive?
A large majority lets the government pass legislation with relative ease, as Blair's 1997 landslide enabled extensive constitutional reform.
True or False?
The House of Lords can block money bills.
False.
The House of Lords cannot block money bills.
Define prerogative powers.
Prerogative powers allow the executive to act without parliamentary consent in some areas.
Even a large majority is not , as shown when Blair was defeated in 2005 over his 90-day detention proposals.
Even a large majority is not absolute, as shown when Blair was defeated in 2005 over his 90-day detention proposals.
What prerogative action did Rishi Sunak take in 2024 without parliamentary approval?
Rishi Sunak launched air strikes on Yemen in 2024 without parliamentary approval.
True or False?
The executive is usually drawn from the largest party in the House of Commons.
True.
Because the executive is usually drawn from the largest party in the Commons, it often dominates Parliament in practice.
Define legislative control.
Legislative control is Parliament's power to pass the Acts required to authorise certain executive powers.
How is the relationship between Parliament and the executive best summarised?
The relationship is best understood as executive dominance constrained by parliamentary scrutiny.
How many countries make up the European Union?
The European Union is made up of 27 European countries.
The UK officially left the EU on .
The UK officially left the EU on 31 January 2020.
In which year did UK voters choose to leave the EU?
UK voters chose to leave the EU in the Brexit referendum of 2016.
Define the EU's four freedoms.
The EU's four freedoms are the free movement of goods, services, people and capital across member states.
Which 1992 treaty developed the EU beyond an economic union?
The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 developed the EU beyond an economic union.
The three pillars of the Maastricht Treaty were European Communities, Common foreign and security policy, and .
The three pillars of the Maastricht Treaty were European Communities, Common foreign and security policy, and Justice and home affairs.
True or False?
Pillar 1 of the Maastricht Treaty resulted in pooled sovereignty from member states.
True.
Pillar 1, European Communities, crucially resulted in pooled sovereignty from member states.
Which Act repealed the European Communities Act 1972?
The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 repealed the European Communities Act 1972.
Leaving the EU has had a negative impact, with studies suggesting UK GDP is 6 to 8% smaller in 2025 than if the UK had remained.
Leaving the EU has had a negative economic impact, with studies suggesting UK GDP is 6 to 8% smaller in 2025 than if the UK had remained.
Define retained law.
Retained law is EU law that was converted into UK law when the UK left the EU.
Which framework attempted to resolve Northern Ireland's position after Brexit?
The Windsor Framework attempted to resolve Northern Ireland's position, balancing UK sovereignty with the Republic of Ireland remaining in the EU.
True or False?
Scotland voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.
False.
Scotland voted to remain in the EU and has since discussed a second independence referendum.
Define legal sovereignty.
Legal sovereignty refers to where the law says ultimate political authority resides, which in the UK is Parliament.
Name one institution besides Parliament that may claim political sovereignty in the UK.
Devolved assemblies, elected mayors and other political bodies may claim political sovereignty in the UK.
Define political sovereignty.
Political sovereignty refers to where power lies in practice, focusing on who can actively exercise political power.
True or False?
Referendums in the UK are legally binding.
False.
Referendums are not legally binding and can only be called by Parliament, which underpins parliamentary sovereignty.
Which two Miller cases saw the Supreme Court uphold the sovereignty of Parliament over the executive?
Miller v Brexit Secretary (2017) and Miller v PM (2019) upheld the sovereignty of Parliament over the executive.
Parliament demonstrated its supremacy over devolved bodies by vetoing the Scottish Act.
Parliament demonstrated its supremacy over devolved bodies by vetoing the Scottish Gender Recognition Act.
Define the Backbench Business Committee.
The Backbench Business Committee is a cross-party committee of MPs that decides when Commons time is given to debates chosen by backbench MPs, rather than by the government.
Which two Acts allow the executive to overcome challenges from the House of Lords?
The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 allow the executive to overcome challenges from the House of Lords.
True or False?
Backbench power in the House of Commons has increased since 2010.
True.
Backbench power has increased since 2010, including greater use of urgent questions and the creation of the Backbench Business Committee.
Why does sovereignty lying with the Supreme Court raise concerns?
It raises concerns because judges are unelected and there are relatively few checks on judicial power.
The overall judgement concludes that sovereignty in the UK today is flexible and .
The overall judgement concludes that sovereignty in the UK today is flexible and shared.
Which policy U-turn illustrates sovereignty lying with the people?
Starmer's two-child benefit cap U-turn illustrates sovereignty lying with the people through public opinion.

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