Chapter 1. Constitution

OVERVIEW OF CONSTITUTION

A constitution comprises the fundamental principles or established precedents that form the legal basis for a nation’s governance. 

It typically serves to:

• Establish and delineate the core structures of the state, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches;
• Define the scope of authority and interaction between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; and
• Govern the interactions between the state, its governing bodies, and the citizens.

This text will guide you through the foundational constitutional principles that govern these functions within the UK, offering a foundational understanding of UK constitutional law.

THE UK’S UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION

The UK stands alongside a handful of nations globally without a codified constitution.

An unwritten, or more accurately, an uncodified constitution does not have a single, consolidated written document that outlines its most critical laws.

This contrasts with nations like the United States, Australia, or South Africa, each of which possesses a formal document titled 'The Constitution' that clearly enunciates the most significant legal and governmental guidelines.