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Difficulty: MediumThe Unwritten Nature of the Constitution

The rules governing the United Kingdom are not gathered together in a single, formal document. Which statement correctly identifies the structure of this 'unwritten' constitution?

  1. The constitution is uncodified and is drawn from multiple sources, including Statute Law, common law, and constitutional conventions.Answer
  2. B
    The constitution is a single, codified document that was formally adopted following the end of the Second World War.
  3. C
    The constitution relies entirely on constitutional conventions, meaning that none of the UK's governing rules are actually written down in legal form.
  4. D
    The constitution is a series of royal decrees that allow the Monarch to change laws without the consent of the government or Parliament.

Answer

The constitution is uncodified and is drawn from multiple sources, including Statute Law, common law, and constitutional conventions.
The correct answer identifies that the British constitution is uncodified. This means that instead of being a single document, it is a collection of various sources. These include Statute Law (laws passed by Parliament), common law (decisions made by judges over time), and constitutional conventions (traditional practices that are followed by the government).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary characteristic of the UK constitution mentioned in the official handbook.
The UK constitution is 'unwritten' or 'uncodified'.
This means there is no single book or document that contains all the rules.
2
Recall the three main sources that make up this uncodified system.
Statute Law (Acts of Parliament), Common Law (legal precedents), and Conventions (traditional practices).
A complete answer must acknowledge that the constitution is built from multiple layers of law and tradition.
3
Distinguish between the UK system and codified systems like those of the US or France.
The UK system is flexible and evolves over time through these different sources.
Understanding the 'uncodified' nature helps rule out any options suggesting a single formal document.

Key Concept

The UK constitution is uncodified, meaning its rules are found in multiple sources rather than a single document.

Practice More

Review the definitions of Statute Law and Common Law to understand how they contribute to the constitutional framework.
Estimated Time:45s
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The Unwritten Nature of the Constitution

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