Unit 2 - United Kingdom

Monarch

“Serves as ceremonial head of state with formal powers exercised on ministerial advice. The monarch summons, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament; appoints the Prime Minister and ministers; gives royal assent to legislation; and serves as head of the armed forces and the Church of England”

Prime Minister

“The effective head of government, leading the cabinet and setting government policy. The prime minister is not directly elected but is typically the leader of the party that can command a majority in the House of Commons. As noted in PAU-3.C.2.f, the prime minister calls elections (though now limited by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act and its replacement), sets foreign policy, and serves as de facto commander-in-chief.”

• Determining government policy and priorities

• Appointing and dismissing ministers

• Representing the UK internationally

• Chairing cabinet meetings

• Advising the monarch on exercise of prerogative powers

• Controlling the legislative agenda through the parliamentary majority

Cabinet

“Composed of senior ministers (usually around 20-25) who head government departments and collectively determine government policy; appointed by the prime minister and drawn from Parliament, primarily the Commons.”

House of Commons (Primary/Lower Chamber)

• Primary legislative chamber with 650 members (MPs) elected from single-member constituencies

• Holds confidence powers over the government

• Initiates and approves legislation, especially financial bills

• Provides a forum for national debate

• Scrutinizes government through question time, committees, and debates

House of Lords (Upper Chamber)

• approximately 800 members, most appointed for life

• Members (peers) include life peers appointed by the Crown on government advice, 92 hereditary peers, and 26 bishops of the Church of England

• Reviews and amends legislation but generally defers to Commons under the Parliament Acts

• Provides specialized expertise and more deliberative debate

• Has more limited powers, particularly over finance bills and matters covered by the government's election manifesto (Salisbury Convention)

• Can delay and revise a law wanting to be passed

Supreme Court

“Established in 2009, replacing the Law Lords, as the final court of appeals“

• Final court of appeals

• Solve situations over devolution disputes

• Protecting human/civil rights and liberties

Made up of a president and 11 justices appointed by panel of lawyers.

Court of Appeal

“Handles appeals from the High Court and Crown Court”

High Court

“Civil cases and administrative law (judicial review)”

Crown Court

“Serious criminal cases”

County Courts and Magistrates' Courts

“Lower courts handling most routine cases"

Judicial Independence

• “Judges have security of tenure

• Judicial appointments made through an independent commission

• Constitutional Reform Act 2005 enhanced separation between judiciary and other branches

• Tradition of political neutrality among judges”