Constitutional law worksheet with answers

A federal state is one in which:

1. AThere is no central government
2. BRegions may secede unilaterally whenever a majority of their voters wishes
3. CPower is constitutionally divided between a central government and regions
4. DAll power is held by the capital city

Which body adopts laws in a parliamentary democracy?

1. AThe supreme court
2. BThe prime minister alone
3. CThe legislature (parliament)
4. DThe police

The European Convention on Human Rights was drawn up within:

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

Under Article 94 of the Dutch Constitution, Dutch courts:

1. AApply statutes even if they conflict with treaties
2. BCan strike down statutes that conflict with the Constitution or with general principles
3. CDo not apply statutes that conflict with treaty provisions binding on everyone
4. DMust refer all treaty questions to the Council of State

A minister refuses to refer a complaint to a committee because the result might embarrass the government. In Padfield v Minister of Agriculture, the House of Lords held:

1. AThe refusal was unlawful, as it frustrated the purpose of the Act
2. BThe refusal was lawful, since the Act imposed no duty to give reasons
3. CThe minister had unlimited discretion
4. DOnly Parliament could question the minister

Proportionality review usually asks whether a measure:

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

The "margin of appreciation" doctrine of the European Court of Human Rights means that:

1. AStates may disregard Strasbourg judgments whenever their own parliament disagrees with the outcome
2. BThe Court never reviews national decisions
3. CEvery state must apply identical rules
4. DStates have some discretion in how they protect rights, especially on sensitive moral issues

A tribunal orders publication of Prince Charles's letters to ministers. The Attorney General issues a certificate under the Freedom of Information Act overriding it. In R (Evans) v Attorney General (2015), the Supreme Court held:

1. AThe certificate was invalid, as he had merely disagreed with the tribunal's view of the same facts
2. BThe certificate was valid, as the Act gave him an unqualified veto over any tribunal decision on disclosure
3. CThe Act was incompatible with Article 10 ECHR
4. DThe letters could never be published