Constitutional law worksheet with answers

Devolution in the UK means that:

1. AThe monarch shares power with regional parliaments
2. BThe UK has become a federal state in which the regional powers are entrenched and cannot be removed by Westminster
3. CLocal councils can override Acts of Parliament
4. DParliament transfers some powers to bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland while remaining sovereign

A writ of habeas corpus:

1. APermits the government to search private homes
2. BRequires a detained person to be brought before a court so that the legality of the detention can be tested
3. COrders a public body to perform a statutory duty
4. DAllows the police to detain a suspect without charge for up to a week while a court reviews the evidence against them

The European Convention on Human Rights was drawn up within:

1. AThe United Nations
2. BNATO
3. CThe European Union
4. DThe Council of Europe

In R v Bow Street Magistrate, ex p Pinochet (No 2), the House of Lords set aside its own earlier decision because:

1. APinochet had not been given a lawyer of his own choice at the hearing
2. BThe judges had made a legal mistake
3. COne judge had links to a charity that was a party to the case
4. DThe case had been heard in private

In Marbury v Madison (1803), the US Supreme Court established:

1. AThe right to bear arms
2. BThe power of Congress to overrule decisions of the federal judiciary
3. CThe power of courts to review the constitutionality of legislation
4. DThe President's veto power

Proportionality review usually asks whether a measure:

1. AIs the cheapest option available and has been approved by parliament
2. BPursues a legitimate aim, is suitable, necessary and balanced
3. CIs popular with voters
4. DWas adopted quickly

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. BParliament cannot legislate against fundamental rights
3. CMinisters may limit fundamental rights whenever it is in the public interest
4. DGeneral words in a statute are presumed not to override fundamental rights

People buy TV licences early to avoid a fee increase, and the Home Office threatens to revoke them unless they pay the extra. In Congreve v Home Office, the court held:

1. AThe revocation was lawful under the statute
2. BThe minister could act for any purpose
3. CLicence holders had no legal rights
4. DUsing the revocation power this way was unlawful