PART 2. THE KINGDOM OF PRECEDENTS |
1. Work in pairs. Make a list of things you can expect in a constitution. Listen to other students’ ideas and add them to your list. 2. Work in pairs. In the text below find the synonyms of the words in the box. cancel importance tradition main forbidden inflexible precedent law (2) court decision originate non-matching character centralized written law range article of law compulsory (2) adaptable non-arranged The United Kingdom's constitution may be described as uncodified, flexible, unitary, institutional and practical. It is derived fi*om a number of unwritten and written sources: parliamentary acts, conventions, European Union law, common law etc. Its principal source is statute law, which determines the powers and scope of govemment, and the conduct of elections. A unique feature of the constitution is the absence of a formal doctrine of the separation of powers. Control depends on political and democratic principles rather than a rigid system. Conventions have grown from custom and usage. Although not supported by law, these constitutional unwritten rales are sanctioned by common practice and political convenience and are considered to be binding. They are essential to the cooperation of the Crown, the House of Lords and the House of Commons, in whom the legislative, executive and judicial powers are vested. Adjudications also provide rales of law which have constitutional significance. The doctrine of precedent dictates that such decisions are binding on lower courts. This judge-made law can derive from two sources: common law and interpretation of statutes. There is no modem document that codifies the rights of citizens, because of the doctrine of negative rights, under which Britons have enjoyed the right to do anything that is not prohibited. The UK was one of the first countries to ratify the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In 2000 the Convention became directly enforceable in the courts under the 1998 Human Rights Act. Nevertheless the courts may not invalidate statutes; they can only issue a “declaration of incompatibility” with the ECHR provisions. |
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3. For questions 1-23, read the text below and then decide which word best fits each space. The exercise begins with an example (0). |
|
The Royal |
(0) |
REIGNS, BUT DOES NOT RULE __________ (1) is a key principle of the |
_(2). |
(3) is the |
(4) name for powers belonging to the Sovereign which have been __________________ (5) formally. The Royal prerogative is not_____________ (6). No new prerogative can be_______________ (7) and__________ (8) can abolish_____________ (9) prerogatives. _____________ (10) |
the prerogatives are used on the advice of his/her three constitutionally important powers: to |
_____ (11). There are (12) Parliament and |
precipitate a general______________ (13), to choose the Prime Minister in the case of there being no __________ (14) candidate and____________ (15) to legislation._____________ (16), an extension of the royal prerogative to Parliament allows the ________________ (17) to _________ (18) a wide variety of |
(19), in particular, on |
(20) of national security. |
actions in the name of the_________ granting of royal ____________ (21), public and political appointments, the honors’ system, and accountability of Ministers. Regulation of these powers is political rather than formal or __________ (22), and reform has proceeded piecemeal_______________ (23) case law, and amendments to the Ministerial Code. |
A. constitutional | B. dual | C. absolute | D. parliamentary | |
A. confederation | B. federation | C. monarchy | D. union | |
A. government | B. constitution | C. legislation | D. judiciary | |
A. prerogative | B. privilege | C. immunity | D. right | |
A. total | B. collective | C. generalized | D. constituent | |
A. depicted | B. presented | C. described | D. delineated | |
A. permitted | B. unrestrained | C. unlimited | D. unbounded | |
A. elaborated | B. drafted | C. created | D.done | |
A. House of Commons | B. courts | C. Law Lords | D. Parliament | |
A. public | B. human | C. individual | D. social | |
A. individually | B. theoretically | C. historically | D. conventionally | |
A. Privy Council | B. Ministers | C. Prime Minister | D. Lords | |
A. select | B. elect | C. dissolve | D. dismiss | |
A. election | B. session | C. appointment | D. coronation | |
A. clear-cut | B.legible | C. efficient | D. distinct | |
A. construe | B. propose | C. pardon | D. assent | |
A. really | B. lately | C. currently | D. actually | |
A. government | B. Monarch | D. Prime Minister | D. Privy Council | |
A. protest | B. undertake | C. institute | D. avoid | |
A. people | B. Prime Minister | C. President | D. Crown | |
A. events | B.cases | C. affairs | D. incidents | |
A. privileges | B. charters | C. sanctions | D. penalties | |
A. conventional | B. written | C. precedent | D. statutory | |
A. through | B. from | C. with | D. against |
4. Listen to the text on the constitutional principles and fill in the gaps. You will hear the text twice. THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION |
The essentials of the United Kingdom's_____________ and the rule of______________ (3). The latter means that everyone is |
(1) are the sovereignty of |
_________ (2) (4) before the |
law. The__________ rests on the wisdom of Parliamentary________ |
(5) of law means preventing "arbitrary |
(6) making" and it |
_______ (7) and relies on good sense and judgment. The principle of (8) means that Parliament is the supreme law-____________________ (9) body: its Acts are the highest source of British___________________ (10). It follows that________________ (11) can alter the ________________ (12) simply by passing new Acts of Parliament. Another consequence of the_______________ (13) is that there is no hierarchy among__________________ (14) of |
Parliament: all parliamentary |
(15) is, in principle, of equal validity and |
effectiveness. However it is possible to indicate a special class of ‘constitutional (16)’ such as Magna Carta and the 1998 Human ________________________ (17) Act. With Britain's membership of the European________________ (18), both these traditional aspects of___________________ (19) law have recently come under debate and scrutiny as part of the process of________________________ (20) reform. Under the 1972_______________ (21) Communities Act, the United Kingdom applies all European Union ________________ (22) that it passes in common with other member ____________ (23). 5. Fill in the gaps in the sentences below using a, the or (-), Explain your choice. DEVOLUTION Another important principle is that_________ (1) UK is_______ (2) unitary state._____ (3) authority of________ (4) local and devolved bodies are dependent on_______ (5) Acts of______ (6) Parliament, and they can in_____ (7) principle be abolished at_________ (8) will of____ (9) UK Parliament in______ (10) London, though in______ (11) practice it is extremely unlikely that such_______ (12) step would be taken. Since 1998 each country comprising_________ (13) UK has had its own govemment, and although they exercise ____________ (14) authority delegated from_______ (15) Parliament at________ (16) Westminster, they all differ in form and power. Constitutionally,_______ (17) result of this is that________ (18) Members of_______ (19) national Parliament have now lost their right to play any part in_______________ (20) legislation for__________ (21) domestic affairs of_______ (22) Scotland and _ |
(24) secondary legislation for |
(23) Northem Ireland, and their right to draw up (25) domestic affairs of________ (26) Wales. They retain (27) England, in_______ (28) addition to which,_________ (29) members (31) Scotland, _______ (32) Wales and ________ (33) __ (35) process of |
constituencies in |
these rights only for _ Northem Ireland have been deprived of most of their constituency duties. ____ (36) devolution has transformed________ (37) Parliament in_________ (38) Westminster into_______ (39) quasi-federal institution:________ (40) Parliament for________ (41) England,_______ (42) federal Parliament for______ (43) Northem Ireland and________ (44) Scotland, and________ (45) Parliament for |
(46) primary legislation for ___ (47) Wales. |
6. Work in pairs. Fill in the table below on the basis of exercises 1-5. Then use the table to tell your partner everything you know about the US Constitution. |
U.K. CONSTITUTION | |
The sources of the UK Constitution |
|
The uniqueness of the UK Constitution |
|
Sources and role of Conventions |
|
UK Constitution and the European Law |
|
»*4- |
THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE |
Meaning and types of Royal Prerogatives |
Royal Prerogatives extended to Parliament |
PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION |
The rule of law means |
The Parliamentary sovereignty means |
UK Constitution and the European Law |
-u-i. |
DEVOLUTION- • |
The meaning of devolution |
The effect of devolution on national MPs |
The effect of devolution on MPs from Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland constituencies |
The effect of devolution on Westminster Parliament in general |
7. At home write an essay on the UK Constitutional Process in the Light of Uniformity within the European Union. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the present constitution and give your views on the UK Constitution possible arrangement. You may use the stating and justifying opinions elements and the text on constitutional reform below. See also: ‘For and Against’ Essays in the Recommendations on Creative Writing Work. Stating and justifying opinions |
Connectives for reason giving: because, so that, as, since, etc. I/we need/want....It would be better/more reasonable etc. to.... But first, shouldn’t we...? Even so,... I’m not sure I agree with you. I mean... I’m not sure you are right. You see...1 see what you mean, but.... Look at this way. That’s all right for you, but.... Yes, but on the other hand,...I’m not sure at all that.... My concern is.... |
WHAT IT IS FINE IN PRINCIPLE, IS HARD TO DO IN PRACTICE There is an increasing tendency towards uniformity within the European Union that may challenge the essence of the United Kingdom's system of law, government and administration if not directly then indirectly. The main features of the United Kingdom's Constitutional arrangements that require careful consideration in the light of the proposed European constitution are: the primacy of the House of Commons in its political and legislative roles; the importance of a civil service that is permanent, neutral and appointed on merit; the dualism approach of the United Kingdom to international law and obligations requiring domestic United Kingdom legislation to give effect to international obligations; the absence of a tradition involving a codified or written constitution; |
the absence of entrenched law and the lack of any technical classification distinguishing constitutional law from ordinary law; a tradition of relatively few restraints on the House of Commons to enact legislation on the basis of the political sovereignty of the electorate; the principles of Cabinet and ministerial responsibility to the House of Commons and the functions of the various select committees of Parliament to take evidence and hold government to account. As a process, the constitution addresses a wide variety of issues ranging from how policy is to be developed to the relationship between the Union and Member States. Two approaches may be taken: a narrow approach that is focused on the European Communities Act 1972 as the main basis for the Treaties and therefore the Constitution itself; a broader approach that considers the Constitution to be given primacy under European Union law that initiates a process that may affect the main institutions of government and more deeply the legal culture and traditions of the United Kingdom. 8. Translate into English A. Конституція Сполученого Королівства складається із двох частин - писаної та неписаної. Вона грунтується на змісті актів парламенту, конституційних угод, законодавстві Європейського Союзу, загальному праві та праці вчених у галузі юриспруденції. Головним ії джерелом є статутне право, що визначає повноваження й обмежує владу уряду, а також регулює проведення виборів. Британська конституція є унікальною, оскільки не містить офіційно закріпленого принципу розподілу влади. Конституційні угоди ґрунтуються на традиціях та звичаях, які, хоч і не зафіксовані юридично, але закріплені загальноприйнятою практикою та політичною доцільністю. Вони є обов’язковими до виконання, а також підґрунтям для взаємодії глави держави, палати лордів і палати громад. Рішення судів є ще одним джерелом норм конституційного права. За прецедентним принципом, вони мають обов’язковий характер для нижчих судів. Відсутність документа, який систематизував би права громадян, пояснюється ще й тим, що досі діє принцип негативного права, відповідно до якого «дозволено усе, що не заборонено законом». Європейська конвенція прав людини була ратифікована у 1951 році. Хоча з 2000 року британські суди зобов’язані дотримуватися положень Конвенції про права людини (1998), однак вони не можуть скасовувати попередні законодавчі акти парламенту. Вони лише можуть констатувати їх несумісність з положеннями Конвенції. Б. Королівська прерогатива - це загальний термін для позначення повноважень, які належать монарху як главі держави і які, проте, ніколи не були офіційно визначені. Згадані повноваження є незмінними, тобто не допускають їх розширення. Парламент має право скасовувати окремі виключні права. Тепер, коли більша частина Королівської прерогативи перейшла до парламенту, уряд має можливість здійснювати різноманітні заходи від імені королівської влади. Невід’ємними складовими конституції є принципи верховенства парламенту й верховенства права. Не існує жодної ієрархії актів парламенту. Сполучене Королівство є унітарною державою. Органи місцевого самоврядування, яким були делеговані певні повноваження центральної влади, функціонують згідно із законодавчими актами парламенту. На сучасному етапі реформування існує зростаюча тенденція до уніфікації конституції в рамках законодавства Європейського Союзу, що може суттєво змінити систему права, влади и управління. |
VOCABULARY |
ENGLISH - UKRAINIAN |
adjudication alter arbitrary assent to binding (on) case law clear-cut come under common practice convention Crown (the) custom debate declaration delineate derive from devolved body devolution dictate doctrine of negative rights effectiveness enforceable enjoy the right essential European Union (EU) law European Communities Act European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms extension follow formal good sense governance hierarchy honors’ system Human Rights Act incompatibility indicate invalidate issue judge-made law judgment Magna Carta member state Ministerial Code national security parliamentary act piecemeal |
рішення суду змінювати(ся), переробляти необгрунтований давати згоду на обов’язковий (для виконання) прецедентне право недвозначний підпадати під (дію закону тощо) встановлена практика конституційна угода королівська влада звичай обговорення заява окреслювати походити з орган, якому центральний орган влади делегував певні повноваження децентралізація влади приписувати принцип «негативного права» («дозволено все, що не заборонено законом») результативність що має позивну силу; що може бути примусово виконаним користуватися правом невід’ємна частина законодавство Європейського Союзу Закон про Європейське співтовариство Європейська конвенція з прав людини розширення випливати (як наслідок) офіційний здоровий глузд управління ієрархія система нагород та почестей Закон «Про права людини» несумісність вказувати (на) позбавляти законної сили видавати (наказ тощо) прецедентне право судове рішення Велика хартія вольностей (1215) держава-член (організації) Міністерський кодекс національна безпека законодавчий акт парламенту поступово |
political convenience precedent precipitate prevail prevent proceed prohibit regulation rigid royal charters Royal Prerogative rule of law sanction scrutiny so far sovereignty (of parliament) sp>eoific3[ly statute law statute statutory support by law uncodified undertake actions unilaterally unique unitary unlimited usage validity |
політична доцільність прецедент прискорювати мати перевагу запобігати продовжувати (діяти) забороняти постанова жорсткий надання привілеїв або нагород монархом Королівська прерогатива принцип верховенства права схвалювати вивчення дотепер верховенство парламенту конкретно статутне (писане) право статут (писаний закон) встановлений (законом) підтверджувати (законом) некодифікований (незведений у єдиний документ) вчиняти дії односторонньо винятковий унітарний (єдиний) необмежений застосування чинність |
UKRAINIAN - ENGLISH |
Велика хартія вольностей (1215) верховенство парламенту вивчення видавати (наказ тощо) винятковий випливати (як наслідок) вказувати (на) встановлена практика встановлений (законом) вчиняти дії давати згоду на держава-член (організації) децентралізація влади дотепер Європейська конвенція з прав людини жорсткий забороняти Закон «Про права людини» Закон про Європейське співтовариство Законодавство Європейського Союзу законодавчий акт парламенту запобігати застосування |
Magna Carta sovereignty (of parliament) scrutiny issue unique follow indicate common practice statutory undertake actions assent to member state devolution so far European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms rigid prohibit Human Rights Act European Communities Act European Union (EU) law parliamentary act prevent usage |
заява звичай здоровий глузд змінювати ієрархія конкретно конституційна угода користуватися правом королівська влада Королівська прерогатива мати перевагу Міністерський кодекс надання привілеїв або нагород монархом національна безпека невід’ємна частина недвозначний некодифікований (незведений у єдиний документ) необгрунтований необмежений несумісність обговорення обов’язковий (для виконання) односторонньо окреслювати орган, якому центральний орган влади делегував певні повноваження офіційний підпадати під (дію закону тощо) підтверджувати (законом) позбавляти законної сили політична доцільність постанова поступово походити з прецедент прецедентне право принцип «негативного права» («дозволено все, що не заборонено законом») принцип верховенства права приписувати прискорювати продовжувати (діяти) результативність рішення суду розширення система нагород та почестей статут (писаний закон) статутне (писане) право судове рішення схвалювати унітарний (єдиний) управління чинність що має позивну силу |
declaration custom good sense alter hierarchy specifically convention enjoy the right Crown (the) Royal Prerogative prevail Ministerial Code royal charters national security essential clear-cut uncodified arbitrary unlimited incompatibility debate binding (on) unilaterally delineate devolved body formal come under support by law invalidate political convenience regulation piecemeal derive from precedent case law; judge-made law doctrine of negative rights rule of law dictate precipitate proceed effectiveness adjudication extension honors’ system statute statute law judgment sanction unitary governance validity enforceable |
PART 3. THE MIDNIGHT CONSTITUTION |
1. Work in pairs. Make a list of things you can expect in a constitution. Listen to other students’ ideas and add them to your list. 2. Work in pairs. In the text below find the synonyms of the words in the box. |
absolute fundamental nature introduction explain mean possessor in effect community important agreement governing bodies final standard the only one officially authorized handing over judged responsibility |
A curious fact about the Constitution of Ukraine is that due to a complicated political situation it was adopted after midnight. It happened at the Verkhovna Rada on June 28, 1996. The Constitution is codified, that is, it is the single source of constitutional law in the state. In a unitary republic of Ukraine, the fundamental law vests the ultimate authority in one central administration, legislature and judiciary, though there is a delegation of power to municipal authorities. The ‘rule of law’ implies that law should function as the general measure of freedom, equality and justice. The people are the bearers of sovereignty and the only source of power in Ukraine. The people exercise the power directly, as well as through the bodies of state power and local self-government. Human rights, freedoms and their guarantees form the basis of the public policy. The constitution consists of 161 articles, which are divided into Preamble and 15 Chapters: General Principles; Human and Citizens' Rights, Freedoms and Duties; Elections, Referendum; the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; President of Ukraine; Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Other Bodies of Executive Power; Justice; Prosecutor’s Office; Territorial Structure of Ukraine; Autonomous Republic of Crimea; Local Self-Government; Constitutional Court of Ukraine; Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine; Final Provisions; Transitional Provisions. The Constitutional Court of Ukraine considers issues relating to the conformity of laws and other legal acts to the Constitution and has the exclusive right to interpret the Constitution. The Verkhovna Rada may amend the constitution through a special legislative procedure that involves obtaining the two-third majority. The constitution in force was positively assessed by European bodies influential in the area of constitutional legislation. 3. For questions 1-24, read the text below and then decide which word best fits each space. The exercise begins with an example (0). _____ (0) Ukraine has the ______________ (1) constitution, it __________ (2) that the constitution has |
supremacy _______ (3) ordinary __________ (4) law. The right to _____________ (5) the issues of the ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
constitutional _ recognised and |
(6) in Ukraine belongs __ (9). Laws and other _ |
__ (7) to the people. The________ (8) of law is (10) legal acts are adopted on the_________ (11) |
of the Constitution of Ukraine and must conform determines the |
_ (12) it. The Constitutional Court (13) of laws and other legal acts to the Constitution and_______________ (14) the Constitution and laws of Ukraine. A draft law____________ (15) introducing amendments is_________ (16) to the Verkhovna Rada by the President, or by no____________ (17) People’s Deputies of Ukraine than two-third of the constitutional____________ (18) on the condition that it is adopted by no less than two-thirds of the constitutional composition of the parliament, and is _________________ (19) by an All- Ukrainian ________ (20) designated by the President. The Constitution is not amended, if the amendments_________ (21) the abolition or restriction of human and citizens' rights and freedoms, or if they are oriented toward the liquidation of the independence or violation of the territorial __________ (22) of Ukraine. The Constitution in_________ (23) was amended on December 8, 2004. The amendments _____ President, Verkhovna Rada, and Cabinet of Ministers. |
(24) into force on January 1, 2006 and modified the powers of the |
0. | A. since | B. unless | C. though | D. under |
1. | A. written | B. codified | C. valid | D. ancient |
2. | A. means | B. interprets | C. illuminates | D. decodes |
3. | A. above | B. under | C. over | D. behind |
4. | A. stative | B. statute | C. legal | D. administrative |
5. | A. resolve | B. do | C. make | D. answer |
6. | A. ordnance | B. procedure | C. discipline | D. order |
7. | A. exclusively | B. exponently | C. extraordinary | D. exploringly |
8. | A. regulation | B. decree | C. sovereignty | D. rule |
9. | A. actual | B. acting | C. productive | D. effective |
10. | A. authoritarianly | B. regulatory | C. directory | D. managingly |
11. | A. basis | B. framework | C. principle | D. order |
12. | A. in | B. for | C. to | D. with |
13. | A. concord | B. accord | C. agreement | D. conformity |
14. | A. elucidates | B. describes | C. interprets | D. decodes |
15. | A. on | B. for | C. to | D. in |
16. | A. given | B. submitted | C. offered | D. tendered |
17. | A. less | B. lesser | C. few | D. fewer |
18. | A. structure | B. composition | C. arrangement | D. formation |
19. | A. approved | B. elected | C. sanctioned | D. ratified |
20. | A. referendum | B. election | C. campaign | D. demonstration |
21. | A. see | B. foresee | C. oversee | D. see to |
22. | A. indignity | B. indivisibility | C. unity | D. totality |
23. | A. strength | B. supremacy | C. force | D. power |
24. | A. introduced | B. gone | C. ascended | D. entered |
4. Listen to the text on the human rights section of the Constitution of Ukraine and fill in the gaps. You will hear the text twice. |
Generally the Venice Commission’s gives positive the__________ (2) of the Constitution. The___________ to protect the full_________ (5) of rights___________ (6) by the European |
_______ (1) of the human rights section of (3) of rights protected shows___________ (4) |
Rights. According to the Constitution the and freedoms must not be_________ and rights. Being not ____________ |
_ (7) on Human ______ (9) rights (10). All people are free and equal in their (11) |
(8) and scope” of the |
(12) human rights and freedoms are |
(14). Under Article 3, a human being, his or her |
(15) and health, |
and dignity, inviolability and Citizens have |
______ (17) are recognized as the highest social (19) constitutional rights and____________ (20) and are equal______ |
(13) and 1___ (16) ___ (18). ____ (21). |
There are no _ (25) and other place of ____________ |
(22) or _ (26), sex. |
(23) base on race, (27) and social __ |
(24), political. |
(28), property |
(29), |
freedoms are_____________ (34) in court the |
(30), ________ (31) or other characteristics. Human and civil rights and ___ (32) by the________ (33). Each person is guaranteed the right to_ |
(35), actions or |
(37), officials and public |
_____ (36) of government bodies, bodies of local (38). Appeals to the court______________ (39) of the |
constitutional rights and freedoms of the individual and citizen are guaranteed directly (40) of the Constitution. The (41) Human Rights___________ (42) of the _____ (44) of |
Verkhovna Rada (Ombudsman) |
(43) parliamentary control over the |
constitutional human and citizens' rights and freedoms. 5. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions. NEW PROCEDURE TO AMEND CONSTITUTION __ (1) April, 2008, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled that the nation's Constitution can be amended___________ (2) the results _____ (3)a national referendum. This ruling was issued_________ (4) response_____ (5) the request submitted_____ (6) the Court_____ (7) the President________ (8) a ruling____ (9) the possibility_____ (10) changing the basis_______ (11) the country's constitutional system _ |
_ (12) the involvement____ (13) the legislature. The Court stated that a decision passed_________ (14) referendum will be final and does not need - (15) parliamentary approval.____________ (16) the Court's decision, an amendment can be passed only_________ (17) the procedure prescribed_______ (18) legislation and the Constitution. ___ (19) present no Ukrainian law provides ___________ (20) the possibility _______ (21) amending passage___ (24) an implementing |
22) the Constitution other than |
(23) the legislature, and so it appears that the (25) amendment____ (26) the legislature may be needed________ |
(27) order____ (28) the President to achieve________ (29) his aim. 6, Work in pairs. Fill in the table below on the basis of exercises 1-5. Then use the table to tell your partner everything you know about the US Constitution. |
CONSTITUTION OF UKRAINE | |
The Constitution vests the ultimate authority in |
|
The ‘rule of law’ means |
|
How do the people exercise their authority |
|
The basis of the public policy is formed by |
|
The structure of the Constitution |
|
The functions of the Constitutional Court |
|
THE HUMAN RIGHTS SECTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF UKRAINE | |
The scope of guaranteed rights as compared to European Convention on Human Rights |
|
The role of courts in protecting Constitutional rights |
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