Constitution of the UK FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

 The Constitution is a mirror …… the national soul.

a) reflecting

b) having

c) vesting

d) debating

TEXT   

BRITISH CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

British Constitution

Task: read and translate the following text.

A constitution is the political and ideological structure within which a system of law operates. Most countries have a formal written constitution describing how laws are to be made and enforced. A constitution is more than a mechanical set of ground rules. It is a mirror reflecting the national soul. It reflects those values the country regards as important, and shows how these values will be protected. The British constitution has evolved over many centuries. Unlike the constitutions of most other countries, it is not contained in any single document: there is no written constitution. Instead, it is made up of statute law, common law and conventions. The constitution can be altered by an Act of Parliament or by general agreement to alter a convention. It is thus adaptable to changing political conditions. One of the reasons for having special constitutional laws is to prevent governments from becoming too powerful. Most modern constitutions have adopted the principle of separation of powers, developed in the eighteenth century by the French philosopher Montesquieu. In Britain Parliament is vested with legislative powers and is the supreme authority. Parliament makes laws. Executive branch is represented by the government, which executes laws, i. e. puts them into effect. Law courts constitute the judicial branch, they interpret and apply laws.

Parliament.

The British Parliament, like parliaments in other countries, is often referred to as the "Legislature" – the body which makes laws. Its essential function could probably be best described as "to discuss what the Government has done, is doing and intends to do, and on occasion to try to show up the Government‘s errors and even try to persuade the Government to change or modify its policies". Nevertheless, new laws can only come into force when they have passed through Parliament. The three elements which make up British Parliament are the Queen, the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons. The agreement of all three is normally required for legislation. To become an Act of Parliament a bill must be passed in the House of Commons, adopted in the House of Lords and finally signed by the Queen. Any member of the House of Commons may introduce a bill (a draft law). In the House a bill must pass three readings. There is no debate at the first reading. This is followed by a thorough debate on general principles at the second reading. A bill is then given detailed consideration, clause by clause, by a Commons committee and amended, if necessary, before a third and final reading. If a bill is passed by the Commons it goes to the Lords. The House of Lords has similar procedures. Today the Lords cannot reject bills passed by the Commons but can only delay the passage of a bill. Until the early years of the 20th century, however, the House of Lords had the power to prevent legislation, as bills had to be passed by both Houses of Parliament (since 1949 four acts have been passed into law without the consent of the House of Lords: The War Crimes Act 1991; the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999; the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000; the Hunting Act 2004). If the Lords agree to a bill it will be placed before the Queen for signature. When the Queen signs it, it becomes an Act of Parliament.

Government.

The party which has majority in the House of Commons forms the government and may hold office for five years. The leader of the majority party becomes the Prime Minister. Her Majesty‘s Government is responsible for the administration of national affairs. Government consists of about seventy politicians. The composition of government may vary both in the number of ministers and in the titles. New ministerial offices may be created, others may be abolished and functions may be transferred from one minister to another. There are departmental (in charge of government departments) and non-departmental ministers, holders of various traditional offices, the latter performing any duties the Prime Minister may wish to give them. Departmental ministers are usually in the Cabinet. The Cabinet is composed of about twenty ministers chosen by the Prime Minister, although the number can vary. The functions of the Cabinet are initiating and deciding on policy, the supreme control of government and the coordination of government departments. The Cabinet can always have the last word. No change of policy of any importance would be considered without the Cabinet sanction. The Cabinet meets in private and its proceedings are confidential. The Cabinet is also the Court of Appeal.

The Judiciary.

The judiciary is independent of the executive; its judgements are not subject to ministerial direction or control. The Prime Minister recommends the highest judicial appointments to the Crown. The Lord Chancellor is head of the judiciary except in Scotland (although Britain is a unitary state, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all have their own legal systems). Lord Chancellor‘s responsibilities include administration of all courts, judicial appointments and appointment of magistrates.

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

One of the reasons for having special constitutional laws is …… government from becoming too powerful.

a) to constitute

b) to prevent

c) to elect

d) to introduce

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

No change of policy of any importance would be considered without …... .

a) Queen‘s sanction

b) Parliament sanction

c) the Lord Chancellor‘s sanction

d) the Cabinet sanction

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

The …… met urgently at 10 Downing Street to decide government policy on the new economic crises.

a) civil service

b) Privy Council

c) Cabinet

d) ministries

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

The judiciary is ......... of the executive;

a)  independent

b) dependant

c) sovereign

d) codified

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

 Parliament is a …… body.

a) legislation

b) legislature

c) legislative

d) legislate

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

 The UK constitution is not contained in any single document: there is no written constitution. Instead, it is made up of .... ., .....,  and ...... 

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

The three elements which make up British Parliament are ... , ... ... and ....

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

 The government lost the confidence of the House of Commons, Parliament was dissolved and a/an …… was called.

a) general Election

b) electoral roll

c) by-election

d) election campaign

Choose the correct alternative and complete each of the sentences below.

 In general, a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament when it has received the …… of both Houses of Parliament and the sovereign

a) consent

b) ratification

c) enactment

d) assent

Is the statement true or false?

 The Constitution describes the life of the people. 

Is the statement true or false?

 The Constitution is contained in a lot of documents.

Is the statement true or false?

In Britain Parliament is the supreme authority.

Is the statement true or false?

Law courts interpret and apply laws.

Is the statement true or false?

 To become an Act of Parliament a bill must be signed by the Queen.

Is the statement true or false?

In the House of Commons a bill must pass only one reading.

Is the statement true or false?

The Lords can reject any bill.

Is the statement true or false?

The Cabinet proceedings are private and confidential.

Is the statement true or false?

 Government consists of about seventy politicians.

Is the statement true or false?

The Court judgements are not subject to ministerial direction or control.

Complete the following sentences by adding the phrases. 

Read the text.

British Constitution

A constitution is the political and ideological structure within which a system of law operates. Most countries have a formal written constitution describing how laws are to be made and enforced. A constitution is more than a mechanical set of ground rules. It is a mirror reflecting the national soul. It reflects those values the country regards as important, and shows how these values will be protected. The British constitution has evolved over many centuries. Unlike the constitutions of most other countries, it is not contained in any single document: there is no written constitution. Instead, it is made up of statute law, common law and conventions. The constitution can be altered by an Act of Parliament or by general agreement to alter a convention. It is thus adaptable to changing political conditions. One of the reasons for having special constitutional laws is to prevent governments from becoming too powerful. Most modern constitutions have adopted the principle of separation of powers, developed in the eighteenth century by the French philosopher Montesquieu. In Britain Parliament is vested with legislative powers and is the supreme authority. Parliament makes laws. Executive branch is represented by the government, which executes laws, i. e. puts them into effect. Law courts constitute the judicial branch, they interpret and apply laws.

Parliament.

The British Parliament, like parliaments in other countries, is often referred to as "the Legislature" – the body which makes laws. Its essential function could probably be best described as "to discuss what the Government has done, is doing and intends to do, and on occasion to try to show up the Government‘s errors and even try to persuade the Government to change or modify its policies‘. Nevertheless, new laws can only come into force when they have passed through Parliament. The three elements which make up British Parliament are the Queen, the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons. The agreement of all three is normally required for legislation. To become an Act of Parliament a bill must be passed in the House of Commons, adopted in the House of Lords and finally signed by the Queen. Any member of the House of Commons may introduce a bill (a draft law). In the House a bill must pass three readings. There is no debate at the first reading. This is followed by a thorough debate on general principles at the second reading. A bill is then given detailed consideration, clause by clause, by a Commons committee and amended, if necessary, before a third and final reading. If a bill is passed by the Commons it goes to the Lords. The House of Lords has similar procedures. Today the Lords cannot reject bills passed by the Commons but can only delay the passage of a bill. Until the early years of the 20th century, however, the House of Lords had the power to prevent legislation, as bills had to be passed by both Houses of Parliament (since 1949 four acts have been passed into law without the consent of the House of Lords: The War Crimes Act 1991; the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999; the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000; the Hunting Act 2004). If the Lords agree to a bill it will be placed before the Queen for signature. When the Queen signs it, it becomes an Act of Parliament.

Government

The party which has majority in the House of Commons forms the government and may hold office for five years. The leader of the majority party becomes the Prime Minister. Her Majesty‘s Government is responsible for the administration of national affairs. Government consists of about seventy politicians. The composition of government may vary both in the number of ministers and in the titles. New ministerial offices may be created, others may be abolished and functions may be transferred from one minister to another. There are departmental (in charge of government departments) and non-departmental ministers, holders of various traditional offices, the latter performing any duties the Prime Minister may wish to give them. Departmental ministers are usually in the Cabinet. The Cabinet is composed of about twenty ministers chosen by the Prime Minister, although the number can vary. The functions of the Cabinet are initiating and deciding on policy, the supreme control of government and the coordination of government departments. The Cabinet can always have the last word. No change of policy of any importance would be considered without the Cabinet sanction. The Cabinet meets in private and its proceedings are confidential. The Cabinet is also the Court of Appeal.

The Judiciary.

The judiciary is independent of the executive; its judgements are not subject to ministerial direction or control. The Prime Minister recommends the highest judicial appointments to the Crown. The Lord Chancellor is head of the judiciary except in Scotland (although Britain is a unitary state, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all have their own legal systems). Lord Chancellor‘s responsibilities include administration of all courts, judicial appointments and appointment of magistrates.

1.

1) A constitution is ...

2.

2) British constitution is made up of ...

3.

3) Most modern constitutions have adopted ...

4.

4) The executive branch puts ...

5.

5) Law courts constitute ...

6.

6) The first reading of a bill is followed by ...

7.

7) If the Lords agree to a bill ...

8.

8) The composition of government may vary both ...

9.

9) The Cabinet can always have ...

10.

10) The job of Lord Chancellor is ...

 Match Russian and English equivalents.

1.

to alter the convention

2.

to interpret laws

3.

to vest with power

4.

to apply laws

5.

a draft law

6.

detailed consideration

7.

to delay the law

8.

private and confidential proceedings

9.

to reject a bill

10.

to sign a bill

11.

to perform the duties

12.

to introduce a draft law

13.

to execute laws

14.

judicial power

 What English document first limited the power of the king or queen?