This chapter examines systems for handling complaints against public bodies. It focuses particularly upon public sector ombudsmen while locating ombudsmen within the wider complaint-handling landscape. Public sector ombudsmen constitute an important mechanism by which the executive (and other public bodies) can be held to account. The relationship between ombudsmen and other accountability mechanisms, together with questions concerning the legal enforceability of ombudsmen’s findings, raise important issues about legal and political forms of constitutionalism. The multilayered nature of the UK’s constitution post-devolution has resulted in a diversity of ombudsman schemes and poses particular challenges in relation to the rationalisation of ombudsmen in England.
Chapter
16. Ombudsmen and Complaints
Chapter
R (on the application of Evans) and another v Attorney General [2015] UKSC 21, Supreme Court
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in R (on the application of Evans and another) v Attorney General [2015] UKSC 21, Supreme Court. This case concerns whether Parliament can have intended for a statutory provision to allow a member of the executive to overturn the decision of a court without good, clearly articulated reasons (Lord Mance), or contrary to constitutional principle (Lord Neuberger). The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
15. Ombudsmen and Complaints
This chapter examines systems for handling complaints against public bodies. It focuses particularly upon public sector ombudsmen while locating ombudsmen within the wider complaint-handling landscape. Public sector ombudsmen constitute an important mechanism by which the executive (and other public bodies) can be held to account. The relationship between ombudsmen and other accountability mechanisms, together with questions concerning the legal enforceability of ombudsmen’s findings, raise important issues about legal and political forms of constitutionalism. The multilayered nature of the UK’s constitution post-devolution has resulted in a diversity of ombudsman schemes and poses particular challenges in relation to the rationalisation of ombudsmen in England.
Chapter
4. The Rule of Law
This chapter explains ‘the rule of law’. It first looks at the controversy over how to define the principle. Some experts argue that it should be ‘content-free’, dealing only with the form of law and the procedures by which law is made. Others favour a ‘content-rich’ meaning, so that the substance of laws should have to comply with fundamental rights. The chapter then examines the practical protection of the rule of law. In Britain, all three of the major branches of the state have functions in the development and application of rule of law principles. Judges use various approaches to protect the rule of law when adjudicating on cases. Parliament can enact legislation designed to safeguard the rule of law, though the principle of parliamentary supremacy means that legislation passed by Parliament that infringes the rule of law is not challengeable in the courts. Within government, various office-holders are responsible for ensuring respect for the rule of law.
Chapter
R (on the application of Evans) and another v Attorney General [2015] UKSC 21, Supreme Court
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in R (on the application of Evans and another) v Attorney General [2015] UKSC 21, Supreme Court. This case concerns whether Parliament can have intended for a statutory provision to allow a member of the executive to overturn the decision of a court without good, clearly articulated reasons (Lord Mance), or contrary to constitutional principle (Lord Neuberger). The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
3. The Transfer of Powers and Union Competences
This chapter examines the multifaceted and increasingly complex relationship between the European Union and its member states. The chapter begins with the transfer of sovereign powers and the democratic legitimacy of the Union and the establishment of constitutionalism within the Union. Section 3.4 considers the transfer of powers from the member states and the division and control of competences between the Union and the member states. In this context, the principles of subsidiarity and of proportionality are discussed, which are the political solutions to the very emotive questions about how power is shared between the Union and the member states.
Chapter
12. Judicial Review—An Introduction
This chapter provides an introduction to the concept of judicial review. It discusses what judicial review is and is not about; the nature of administrative law; the relation of judicial review to three key themes crucial to understanding the modern British constitution—accountability, political and legal constitutionalism, and demarcation disputes in the multilayered constitution; and the constitutional basis of judicial review.
Chapter
19. Human Rights and The UK Constitution
This chapter examines human rights protection in the UK. It examines the reasons why the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) was enacted, the effects of the HRA, the principal mechanisms through which the HRA affords protection to human rights in UK law; the scope of the HRA; and the debate concerning the potential repeal, reform, or replacement of the HRA. The chapter also introduces the notion of human rights, including the practical and philosophical cases for their legal protection, and the European Convention on Human Rights, to which the HRA gives effect in UK law.
Chapter
Jackson v HM Attorney General [2005] UKHL 56, House of Lords
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Jackson v HM Attorney General [2005] UKHL 56, House of Lords. This case concerned the interpretation of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 and the implications of this interpretation for the relationship between the Houses of Parliament. The case also contained important obiter from the House of Lords on the nature of parliamentary sovereignty. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
R v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame Ltd (No. 2) [1991] 1 AC 603, House of Lords
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in R v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame Ltd (No. 2) [1991] 1 AC 603, House of Lords. This case explored whether a United Kingdom court could suspend the effect of primary legislation where it was in conflict with European Community law. It necessarily raises questions about the nature and limits (if any) of parliamentary sovereignty, and for this reason remains relevant notwithstanding the UK’s departure from the European Union. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
Re Dr Bonham’s Case (1608) 8 Coke Reports 107a, 77 ER 638, Court of King’s Bench; Dr Bonham’s Case (1609) 8 Coke Reports 113b, 77 ER 646, Court of King’s Bench
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Re Dr Bonham’s Case (1608) 8 Coke Reports 107a, 77 ER 638, Court of King’s Bench; Dr Bonham’s Case (1609) 8 Coke Reports 113b, 77 ER 646, Court of King’s Bench. This case concerns questions of bias and, more importantly, the attempt by Sir Edward Coke CJ to establish a common law power to overturn Acts of Parliament. The case predates the constitutional settlement which followed the Glorious Revolution of 1688, but echoes of the principles discussed in this case can also be found in modern case law. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
12. Judicial Review—An Introduction
This chapter provides an introduction to the concept of judicial review. The law of judicial review sets the legal framework within which decisions affecting the rights, interests, or legitimate expectations of individuals, are taken. As a result, a number of legal requirements apply. This chapter discusses what judicial review is and is not about; the nature of administrative law; the relation of judicial review to three key themes crucial to understanding the modern British constitution—accountability, political and legal constitutionalism, and demarcation disputes in the multilayered constitution; and the constitutional basis of judicial review.
Chapter
18. Human Rights and the UK Constitution
This chapter examines human rights protection in the UK which is an area in which there is debate and disagreement on a number of fundamental matters and at several levels. It examines the reasons why the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) was enacted, the effects of the HRA, the principal mechanisms through which the HRA affords protection to human rights in UK law, the scope of the HRA, and the debate concerning the potential repeal, reform, or replacement of the HRA. The chapter also introduces the notion of human rights, including the practical and philosophical cases for their legal protection, and the European Convention on Human Rights, to which the HRA gives effect in UK law.
Chapter
Jackson v HM Attorney General [2005] UKHL 56, House of Lords
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Jackson v HM Attorney General [2005] UKHL 56, House of Lords. This case concerned the interpretation of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 and the implications of this interpretation for the relationship between the Houses of Parliament. The case also contained important obiter from the House of Lords on the nature of parliamentary sovereignty. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
R v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame Ltd (No. 2) [1991] 1 AC 603, House of Lords
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in R v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame Ltd (No. 2) [1991] 1 AC 603, House of Lords. This case explored whether a United Kingdom court could suspend the effect of primary legislation where it was in conflict with European Community law. It necessarily raises questions about the nature and limits (if any) of parliamentary sovereignty, and for this reason remains relevant notwithstanding the UK’s departure from the European Union. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Chapter
Re Dr Bonham’s Case (1608) 8 Coke Reports 107a, 77 ER 638, Court of King’s Bench; Dr Bonham’s Case (1609) 8 Coke Reports 113b, 77 ER 646, Court of King’s Bench
Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in Re Dr Bonham’s Case (1608) 8 Coke Reports 107a, 77 ER 638, Court of King’s Bench; Dr Bonham’s Case (1609) 8 Coke Reports 113b, 77 ER 646, Court of King’s Bench. This case concerns questions of bias and, more importantly, the attempt by Sir Edward Coke CJ to establish a common law power to overturn Acts of Parliament. The case predates the constitutional settlement which followed the Glorious Revolution of 1688, but echoes of the principles discussed in this case can also be found in modern case law. The document also includes supporting commentary and questions from author Thomas Webb.
Book
Edited by Catherine Barnard and Steve Peers
European Union Law draws together a range of perspectives to provide an introduction to this important subject. The volume offers a broad range of approaches to provide students with a solid foundation to the institutional and substantive law of the EU. Topics covered include the development of the EU, its political institutions, and constitutionalism in the EU. International law and the EU are examined as well as the effects of EU law on national legal systems. There is a specific chapter on the effect of Brexit on both the EU and the UK. The volume also considers the free movement of goods, natural persons, legal persons, and capital in the EU. Labour and equality law, EU health law, environmental law, consumer law, and criminal law are also considered in detail, as are immigration and asylum law.
Chapter
1. Introduction to Public Law
This introductory chapter provides an overview of public law. Public law refers to the relationship between citizens and the state and between the various institutions of the state. Public law is divided into constitutional law and administrative law, which are interconnected and concerned with the control of state powers. The chapter then discusses the basic features of the UK’s constitution, including both legal and political forms of constitutionalism. The chapter notes that the UK’s constitution has developed over time, explains its uncodified nature, and describes the various sources of constitutional law practice, including legislation, judicial decisions, conventions, and the Ministerial Code.
Book
Steve Peers and Catherine Barnard
European Union Law draws together a range of perspectives to provide an introduction to this important subject. The volume offers a broad range of approaches to provide students with a solid foundation to the institutional and substantive law of the EU. Topics covered include the development of the EU, its political institutions, and constitutionalism in the EU. International law and the EU is examined, as well as the effects of EU law on national legal systems. There is a specific chapter on the effect of Brexit on both the EU and the UK. The volume also considers the free movement of goods, and free movement of natural persons, legal persons, and capital in the EU. Labour and equality law, EU health law, environmental law, consumer law, and criminal law are also considered in detail, as are immigration and asylum law.