Topic Relations between the branches key definitions

Supreme Court

the highest court in the uk political system

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.

Judicial precedent

A principle that when a judge in court declares an important point of law, which includes meaning of law or how it should be applied that declaration must be followed by all other courts and judges in similar cases.

Ultra vires

Literally ‘beyond the powers; an action that is taken without legal authority when it requires it.

Judicial independence

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

Judicial neutrality

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

Elective dictatorship

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

European Union

A political and economic union of a group of European countries

Supranational

A body of organisation that has authority over and above national governments

Four freedoms

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

Competency

The legal authority to act in a given policy

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