Public Law

An introduction to UK Constitutional history

Qasim Aziz
Why do people need constitution?
Origin of the Modern State

• What is “State of Nature”?

• Social Contract Theory:
• Thomas Hobbes
• John Locke
• Jean-Jackques Rouseau
 Definition of Constitution

• Multiple de nitions

• Basic concept: The idea of limited government.

• UK Constitution: Basic Nature (Constitutional Monarchy, uncodi ed/unwritten,

exible etc.)
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Brief History of United Kingdom
Overview

• United Kingdom: Union of four countries (England, Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland)

• Classic period: 43 BC the Roman Empire invades Britain and makes it a

Roman province.

• 410 AD: Romans leave Britain.

• 450 AD: Saxons (Germanic people) begin to settle in Britain (gradual invasion)
• 802 AD: Kingdom of Wessex becomes dominant (Anglo-Saxon empire)
Brief History of United Kingdom
Overview

• 866 AD: Vikings invade Britain.

• 871 AD: Alfered the Great becomes King of Wessex (battles with Vikings)
• 926 AD: Saxons defeat the Vikings and retake occupied lands.
• 1016 AD: The Danish conquer England and King of Denmark becomes King of
England.

• 1066 AD: Norman Conquest occurs. William of Normandy becomes the

King.
Brief History of United Kingdom
Overview

• Norman Conquest: Beginning of “common law” (modern English legal

system)

• 1154 AD: Henry II becomes king.

• 1170 AD: Church Vs Monarchy (Death of Thomas Beckett). Age of absolute
monarchy.

• 1215 AD: Magna Carta ( rst great constitutional reform)

• 1297 AD: William Wallace and Scots ght for independence. Wallace dies the
next year.
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Brief History of United Kingdom
Overview

• 1337 - 1453 AD : Hundreds Year’s war (France and England)

• 1485 AD: Battles of Roses and victory of Henry the Tudor (Henry VII)
• 1508 AD: Henry VIII becomes king. Church of England established.
• 1536 AD: Wales and England joint as union.
• 1558 AD: Elizabeth I becomes Queen.
• 1688-89 AD: Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights (Birth of Modern day
Parliament)
Brief History of United Kingdom
Overview

• 1707 AD : England and Scotland are united to be called Great Britain.

• 1801 AD: Ireland and British Parliament united to form United Kingdom.
• 1911 AD: Parliament Act 1911 ( rst of the two Parliaments Acts 1911-1949)
• 1914-18: First World War
• 1939-45: Second World War - Process of decolonisation post WW-II.
• 1951: European Coal and Steal Community (mothership of modern day EU)
• 1957: European Economic Community.
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Brief History of United Kingdom
Overview

• 1961 AD: UK application to join EEC is vetoed by France.

• 1972-73 AD: UK nally joins EEC and enactment of European Communities Act.
• 1975 AD: House of Commons Disquali cation Act.
• 1998 AD: Human Rights Act 1998 giving domestic a ect to ECHR.
• 1998 AD: Devolution of powers under labor party.
• 2005 AD: Constitutional Reforms Act 2005 reformed the O ce of the Lord
Chancellor, created the UK Supreme Court and introduced new system of judicial
appointments.
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Brief History of United Kingdom
Overview

• 2011 AD: European Union Act 2011 creates framework for referendums on proposals
to amend the EU treaties, section 18 includes a declaration about the relationship
between national and EU law.

• 2011 AD: Fixed Term Parliament Act introduced new framework for determining
when general elections are held (normally after 5 years).

• 2016 AD: UK public through a referendum decides to “leave” EU.

• 2017 AD: EU (Noti cation of Withdrawal) Act 2017.
• 2018: EU (Withdrawal Act) 2018.
• Present Day.
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