English Common Law (II)

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Primary legislation

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This legislation consists of Acts of Parliament or statute.

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Secondary legislation

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Law created by government ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament. Also known as delegated legislation.

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Separation of Powers

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The constitutional principle that limits the powers vested in any person or institution. It divides governmental authority into three branches: legislative, executive and judiciary.

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Statute

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A law that has been approved by both Houses of Parliament and has been given Royal Assent by the Monarch. Also known as an Act of Parliament.

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Statutory instrument

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A type of delegated (or secondary) legislation.

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Statutory interpretation

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The process by which courts interpret and apply legislation.

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Trial Court

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A court where cases are tried in the first place, as opposed to an appellate court.

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Tribunal

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A body established to settle certain types of dispute. It is more informal than a court.

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Magistrate

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The people who make decisions in the magistrates' courts. These are lay people who have no formal legal qualifications and who are unpaid volunteers.

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Parliamentary sovereignty

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A principle of the UK constitution. It makes Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK which can create any law. The courts cannot overrule its legislation and no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change.