Relations between the branches: Key terminology

Supreme Court

The highest court in the UK political system.

Judicial neutrality

The principle that judges should not be influenced by their personal political opinions and should remain outside of party politics.

Judicial independence

The principle that judges should not be influenced by other branches of government, particularly the Executive.

Judicial review

The power of the judiciary to review, and sometimes reverse, actions by other branches of government that breach the law or that are incompatible with the Human Rights Act.

Elective dictatorship

A government that dominates Parliament, usually due to a large majority, and therefore has few limits on its power.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic union of a group of European countries.

Four freedoms (EU)

The principle of free movement of goods, services, capital and people within the EU’s single market.

Legal sovereignty

The legal right to exercise sovereignty – i.e. sovereignty in theory.

Political sovereignty

The political ability to exercise sovereignty – i.e. sovereignty in practice.

Ultra vires

‘Beyond the powers’: An action that is taken without legal authority when it requires it.