Constitutional law worksheet with answers

Free printable Constitutional law worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

Under the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, the House of Lords can generally delay most public bills passed by the Commons for about:

  1. AOne year
  2. BOne week
  3. CFive years
  4. DAs long as it wishes
2.Easy

The European Convention on Human Rights was drawn up within:

  1. AThe European Union
  2. BThe United Nations
  3. CThe Council of Europe
  4. DNATO
3.Easy

The United Kingdom's constitution is best described as:

  1. AFully written in one document
  2. BCopied from the US constitution
  3. CLargely uncodified
  4. DSet out entirely in EU treaties
4.Medium

In Golder v UK, the European Court of Human Rights held that Article 6 includes:

  1. AA right to a jury trial
  2. BA right to free legal aid in all cases
  3. CA right of access to a court
  4. DA right to appeal to Strasbourg
5.Medium

In Lingens v Austria, the European Court of Human Rights held that politicians:

  1. AMust tolerate wider criticism than private individuals
  2. BHave no rights under Article 10
  3. CCannot sue for defamation at all
  4. DAre fully protected from any criticism
6.Medium

A chief constable is dismissed without being told the charges or given a chance to respond. In Ridge v Baldwin, the House of Lords held:

  1. AThe dismissal was valid, because the police had no contract
  2. BThe dismissal was valid, as it was an administrative decision
  3. COnly Parliament could review the decision
  4. DThe dismissal was void for breach of natural justice
7.Hard

In the Harmonisatiewet judgment (1989), the Dutch Supreme Court held that Article 120 of the Constitution:

  1. APrevents courts from reviewing Acts of Parliament against fundamental principles of law
  2. BWas overridden by the principle of legal certainty
  3. CApplies only to delegated legislation
  4. DAllows courts to strike down Acts that breach fundamental principles such as legal certainty
8.Hard

In R v Home Secretary, ex p Simms, Lord Hoffmann explained the "principle of legality" as meaning that:

  1. ACourts may strike down Acts that breach fundamental rights
  2. BMinisters may limit fundamental rights whenever it is in the public interest
  3. CGeneral words in a statute are presumed not to override fundamental rights
  4. DParliament cannot legislate against fundamental rights

Answer key

  1. 1. A · One year
  2. 2. C · The Council of Europe
  3. 3. C · Largely uncodified
  4. 4. C · A right of access to a court
  5. 5. A · Must tolerate wider criticism than private individuals
  6. 6. D · The dismissal was void for breach of natural justice
  7. 7. A · Prevents courts from reviewing Acts of Parliament against fundamental principles of law
  8. 8. C · General words in a statute are presumed not to override fundamental rights

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