Parliamentary Sovereignty: The Ultimate Guide for Law Students

Question 1

Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

The power of Parliament to enact or repeal any law without external constraint

Answer

The requirement that Parliament adhere strictly to international law

Answer

The subjection of Parliament to judicial review

Answer

The inability of Parliament to legislate on certain matters, such as religion

Question 2

Which historical event played a significant role in establishing the concept of parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

The Glorious Revolution of 1688

Answer

The outbreak of the English Civil War

Answer

The signing of the Magna Carta

Answer

The American Declaration of Independence

Question 3

How does the Human Rights Act 1998 impact the principle of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

It incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, placing limits on the power of Parliament to enact legislation that violates those rights.

Answer

It establishes a new constitutional court with the authority to overturn parliamentary decisions

Answer

It abolishes the monarchy and vests all legislative power in Parliament

Question 4

Which of the following is a potential critique of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

It could potentially lead to the enactment of arbitrary or unjust laws due to the absence of legal constraints on Parliament's power.

Answer

It promotes economic prosperity and growth

Answer

It ensures the stability and continuity of government

Answer

It prioritizes the protection of individual rights and freedoms

Question 5

What is the constitutional role of the monarch in relation to parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

To grant royal assent to bills passed by Parliament, thereby making them law

Answer

To appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister at their discretion

Answer

To veto bills passed by Parliament

Answer

To enact laws independently of Parliament

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a convention that supports the practical operation of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

The Salisbury Convention, which ensures that the monarch grants royal assent to all bills passed by Parliament

Answer

The Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Answer

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Answer

The Hague Convention on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes

Question 7

What is the fundamental difference between a statute and a common law rule?

Accepted Answer

Statutes are created by Parliament through legislation, while common law rules are established by judges through the interpretation of case law.

Answer

Statutes are always more important than common law rules

Answer

Common law rules are always more flexible than statutes

Question 8

How does the doctrine of ultra vires limit the scope of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

It prevents Parliament from enacting laws that exceed the powers granted to it by the constitution or other legal sources

Answer

It gives Parliament the authority to amend the constitution at its discretion

Answer

It allows Parliament to override judicial decisions

Question 9

What is the primary argument in favor of reforming parliamentary sovereignty by introducing a supreme court with the power to strike down legislation?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced protection of individual rights

Answer

Increased democratic legitimacy

Answer

Increased judicial activism

Question 10

Identify the statement that is NOT a characteristic of parliamentary sovereignty:

Accepted Answer

Parliament is bound by international law

Answer

Parliament can make or unmake any law

Answer

Parliament is the highest law-making body in the UK

Question 11

Who is credited with first clearly articulating the concept of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

A.V. Dicey

Answer

Lord Coke

Answer

William Blackstone

Answer

Benjamin Constant

Question 12

Which of the following is a direct consequence of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

The executive branch is answerable to Parliament

Answer

Acts of Parliament are subject to review by the courts

Answer

The monarch has an absolute veto over legislation

Answer

The UK is not subject to international law

Question 13

Which case illustrates a significant challenge to the principle of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

R (on the application of Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union

Answer

Cooper v. Wandsworth Board of Works

Answer

Marbury v. Madison

Question 14

What is the significance of the doctrine of implied repeal?

Accepted Answer

It enables Parliament to repeal laws without explicitly stating so

Answer

It empowers the courts to annul laws that contravene the common law

Answer

It compels Parliament to explicitly repeal conflicting laws

Question 15

How does parliamentary sovereignty interact with the separation of powers?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary sovereignty challenges the principle of separation of powers

Answer

Parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers are incompatible

Answer

Parliamentary sovereignty is essential for the separation of powers to function

Question 16

Provide an example of a constitutional convention in the UK:

Accepted Answer

The Prime Minister must be a Member of Parliament

Answer

The courts can strike down laws that breach international law

Answer

The monarch can veto legislation

Question 17

What is the significance of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949?

Accepted Answer

They reduced the House of Lords' ability to obstruct legislation

Answer

They introduced universal suffrage

Answer

They established the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty

Question 18

Identify the statement that does NOT accurately describe a feature of parliamentary sovereignty.

Accepted Answer

The courts have the authority to declare laws unconstitutional.

Answer

Parliament has unlimited power.

Answer

Parliament can enact or repeal any law.

Answer

Parliament is not bound by the decisions of previous Parliaments.

Question 19

Which historical event is widely recognized as the foundation for the concept of parliamentary sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

The Glorious Revolution (1688)

Answer

The English Civil War (1642-1651)

Answer

The Magna Carta (1215)

Answer

The Act of Union (1707)

Question 20

Explain the relationship between parliamentary sovereignty and the principle of implied repeal.

Accepted Answer

A subsequent Act of Parliament can implicitly repeal an earlier Act, even in the absence of an express statement to that effect.

Answer

An earlier Act of Parliament can implicitly repeal a subsequent Act.

Question 21

Distinguish between a codified constitution and an uncodified constitution.

Accepted Answer

A codified constitution is a written document that contains the fundamental laws of a nation, while an uncodified constitution is not contained in a single written document.

Answer

A codified constitution cannot be amended, while an uncodified constitution can.

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of a constitutional convention?

Accepted Answer

The Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament

Answer

The Bill of Rights 1689

Answer

The Human Rights Act 1998

Question 23

What is the primary purpose of judicial review?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that actions taken by public authorities are within the scope of their legal powers.

Answer

To interpret the law.

Answer

To create new laws.