Reading 3. The constitutional framework

              of the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is one of the few countries of the world that does not have a written constitution. It just has so called " uncodified constitution".

The " British Constitution" is a set of rules and regulations constituted by laws, various treaties and international agreements. This uncodified constitution has largely developed out of historic English law.

The founding document of England's " constitution" is generally considered to be the Magna Carta, or Great Charter of the Liberties of England, which the barons drew up and King John signed in the year 1215. Among other landmark bills that have established major new principles in the British Constitution are the English Bill of Rights, passed after the Glorious Revolution of 1689, and the Acts of Union, of 1707, which established the linking of England and Scotland within the United Kingdom.

As the Constitution of the United Kingdom is uncodified, it is in a state of constant change. Each new law, each new major decision by judges, becomes a new stone in the structure of the British Constitution.

Exercise 8.  Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1. The British Constitution is unwritten.

2. A codified constitution would mean that the constitution is written down.

3. The founding document of England’s “constitution” is called the Acts of Union. It was adopted in 1215.

4. No amendments are allowed to add to the British Constitution.

5. Many countries in the world have uncodified constitutions, for example the USA and Russia.

6. The British and American Constitutions are very similar.

Exercise 9. Speak about some differences of the British and American constitutions. Use the tips from the table.

Exercise 10. Do the quiz on the US Constitution basics.

Which branch makes the law?