Constitutional law worksheet with answers

Under section 19 of the UK Human Rights Act 1998, the minister in charge of a bill must:

1. ASend it to the European Court of Human Rights
2. BObtain the Supreme Court's approval of its compatibility before second reading
3. CMake a statement about whether it is compatible with Convention rights
4. DHold a public consultation on it

A federal state is one in which:

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

The Sewel convention says that the UK Parliament will not normally:

1. ALegislate on Scottish matters without first holding a referendum in Scotland
2. BLegislate on devolved matters without the devolved legislature's consent
3. CDebate matters concerning Scotland
4. DChange taxes without a referendum

Parliamentary sovereignty (as described by Dicey) means that:

1. AThe executive can override Parliament
2. BCourts can strike down any Act of Parliament that conflicts with common law rights
3. CParliament can make or unmake any law, and no body can override its Acts
4. DParliament must obey previous Parliaments

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

After Burmah Oil v Lord Advocate held that compensation was due for property destroyed during the war, Parliament passed the War Damage Act 1965, which:

1. ARemoved the right to compensation retrospectively
2. BRequired the courts to hear the case again
3. CIncreased the compensation payable
4. DWas struck down by the courts

A woman with a terminal illness asks for a guarantee that her husband will not be prosecuted for helping her die. In Pretty v UK, the European Court of Human Rights held that Article 2:

1. ARequires an immunity for her husband
2. BDoes not include a right to die
3. CRequires states to allow assisted suicide
4. DWas not engaged by her case at all

Which statement about "horizontal effect" of human rights is correct?

1. AHorizontal effect means rights apply only to horizontal property boundaries
2. BRights can influence legal relations between private parties, often indirectly through courts
3. CPrivate parties can be brought directly before the Strasbourg court by individuals whose rights they breach
4. DRights apply only between states