StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Issues of Scotland's Constitution - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
This paper "Issues of Scotland's Constitution" discusses the Executive branch that is known as the Facilitation. There are two different departments within the Executive Branch, the Cabinet, and the Head Committee. The Cabinet is the central decision-making body of Scotland's government…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER99% of users find it useful
Issues of Scotlands Constitution
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Issues of Scotland's Constitution"

Constitutional Law The Constitution of Scotland Article General Provisions Section This Constitution applies to all parts of Scotland. Section 2. The form of government shall be that of a constitutional monarchy. The royal power is to be inherited by men and women in accordance with their succession to the throne. Section 3. The powers of legislation are jointly placed in the Parliament and with the current monarch. Section 4. The powers to execute and uphold the law are to be placed in the Facilitation. Section 5. The Judicial branch shall exist independently from the main government. Article 2 Responsibilities of Government Section 1. The Scotland Constitution and government based on it shall protect the rights of the people, and safeguard the independence and security of the country. Section 2. The government shall promote common welfare, sustainable development, and cultural diversity of the country. Section 3. The government shall insure equal opportunities for all citizens to the extent possible. Section 4. The government shall strive for the long-term preservation of all its resources and promote a just and peaceful national order. Article 3 Purpose Section 1. The law shall be the basis and limitation for all activities of state. Section 2. Government activity must be in the public interest. Section 3. Every person is responsible for his or her actions. Article 4 Rights Section 1. Every person is equal before the law. Section 2. No person may be discriminated against, regardless, their race, age, sex, language, religion, or creed. Section 3. All people have the right to life, personal liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Section 4. Torture and all other forms of cruel, inhumane treatment are prohibited. Article 5. Amendments Section 1. All people have the right to freely choose their beliefs. Section 2. All people have the right to join a religious community, but they shall not be forced to. Article 6 Section 1. The freedom of speech, press, and all other forms of public communication are guaranteed. Section 2. Censorship is prohibited The Executive branch is known as the Facilitation. The Prime Minister is the Head of State and is responsible for overseeing the governments operations. There are two different departments within the Executive Branch, the Cabinet and the Head Committee. The Cabinet is the central decision-making body of Scotlands government. Its role is to make decisions in areas including major policy issues, proposals for new legislation, creation of a budget, and ratification of international treaties. Meetings of the Cabinet are chaired by the Prime Minister or the next higher official in the cabinet, if the Prime Minister is absent. There are eleven Cabinet posts, each held by a Minister, which have been created by the government and are not constitutionally mandated. They include, but are not limited to the Minster of Finance, Taxation, National Defense, Welfare, Medical Care, Industry, Agriculture, Environment, State, Education, and Silly Walks. The Head Committee is that part of the executive branch of government that carries out formal acts. It is made up of an Executive Council, which meets regularly to make any Orders in Council that are required to give effect to the Governments decisions. Its members are appointed by the Prime Minister and serve at his/her pleasure. The Prime Minister is responsible for conducting all affairs of state including acting as Chief of the National Militia. Members of the Militia are conscripted in accordance with the Mandatory Militia Service Act, which requires that every person over the age of 18 years serve two years in either of the Military Branches or in some branch of public service. There is no prohibition on women serving their public duty in the active militia. The Scotland National Guard consists of member of the militia who have voluntarily enlisted and who, upon original enlistment, are organized, armed, equipped, and federally recognized according to the laws of Scotland; and commissioned officers and warrant officers who are citizens of Scotland, having the qualifications prescribed by federal law and regulations, and who are appointed and commissioned or warranted by the Head Committee. Former members of the regular Army, Navy or Marine Corps under 64 years of age may enlist in the Scotland Militia. The Scotland Naval Militia consists of units authorized by the Head Committee, organized, equipped, trained, and administered as prescribed by state and federal law and regulation, and manned by personnel who are members of Scotland Naval Reserve or the Scotland Marine Corps Reserve and enlisted, appointed, commissioned, or warranted under the laws and regulations of Scotland. The Scotland State Defense Force consists of units authorized by the Head Committee, and manned by volunteer personnel qualifying under state law and regulation. All Scotland State Defense Force personnel are subject to serve on state active duty at the call and by order of the Committee. The Legislative branch consists of a Parliament, which is unicameral, that is, has only one house - the House of Representatives. Because the population of each state varies dramatically, and each state has different demographic and economic interests, the Constitution of Scotland allows for each state to have the same number of Representatives, that is, 6 per state. Its members are elected every three years, through public elections. The Parliament is Scotlands supreme law-making body. Its members study proposals for new laws, debate their consequences, and decide whether or not the proposals should become laws. Proposed laws are introduced into the Parliament as bills. When they are passed, and are approved by the Prime Minister, they become Acts. Acts can cover almost any subject, such as which crimes are punishable by prison, how much money the government is allowed to spend, and where people are allowed to go fishing. Acts may be of general importance or limited to particular bodies, groups or individuals. Parliament can delegate its law-making power to lesser ministers, government departments, local authorities and other bodies. These subordinate bodies can then also make laws, but only within the limits decided by Parliament. Parliament also delegates many powers to Ministers. These powers cover things such as motor vehicle safety regulations, setting salaries for civil servants, and appointing ambassadors to foreign countries. Only the most important issues (such as the Budget) are reserved for Parliament. Parliament is not the only source of law. Parliament makes statute laws, which are called Acts of Parliament. The courts (judicial branch) decide how existing laws are to be interpreted and applied. The decisions of the courts create what is called common law. Common law is based on precedents - decisions which are used as a guide, or as an authoritative rule, in later, similar cases. Judges extend the law by applying the fundamental principles of the law to specific disputes between parties. If similar disputes occur in the future, the previous case is used as a guide. This helps to ensure that the law always treats everyone equally, without favoritism. If Parliament disagrees with how the courts interpret its laws, it can pass new laws, which clarify what it wants. While Parliament creates many new laws every year, much of its work is to change existing laws. These can be cancelled by a new Act, or changed by amending Acts. These developments will often be in response to changing economic or social conditions, or to cases where the law has proved to be unworkable or difficult. Members of the public can lobby parties at any time to create or change laws. They also have the opportunity for direct input into certain committees, which are an important part of the law-making process. The Judicial branch consists of Scotlands legal system (the courts). The independence of the Judiciary is an important principle in Scotland, to be sure that judges are free from political interference. This is shown in the "code of conduct" for the House of Representatives, which prevents a member of Parliament from criticizing a judge. A judgment may be criticized, but personal attacks, or attempts to influence a judge are not allowed. Although Parliament makes laws, it is the job of the Judiciary to interpret and apply those laws in cases which come before the courts. The courts exist to provide an independent place for solving disputes, and dealing with criminal cases. The courts in Scotland are divided into two categories: the High Court and the District Courts. The High Court hears and decides the most serious criminal charges, as well as large or important civil cases. The District Court decides criminal cases, family disputes, and charges against minors. Each state has an independent State Court system which is created in a manner consistent with the demands of that states citizens. The Federal Courts are charged with original jurisdiction over all Federal and International matters, while the state court jurisdiction is limited to matters affecting local and or state conflicts. The Judicial Branch also has a system of Appellate Courts supervised by the Scotland Supreme Court. The Appellate Courts resolve all conflicts arising from the lower federal courts and any issues involving conflict between State and Federal Law. Scotlands Federal judges are appointed by the Prima Minister and approved by a majority of the House of Representatives. They sit for a life term. State Court judges are selected in a manner consistent with each states determination. Scotlands economic system has both Socialist and Capitalist characteristics. The state of Scotland owns the fundamental means of production and distribution of wealth, to be achieved by reconstruction of the existing capitalist or other political system of a country through peaceful, democratic, and parliamentary means. The socialist doctrine specifically advocates nationalization of natural resources, basic industries and trade, viewing monopolies as an opposition to the public welfare. It also advocates state ownership of corporations in which the ownership function has passed from stockholders to managerial personnel. Smaller and less vital enterprises would be left under private ownership, and privately held cooperatives would be encouraged. The instruments of exchange of goods and services are left largely to private individuals, subject to regulation by operation of law. The Capitalist characteristics of the economic system are, private individuals and business firms carry on the production and exchange of goods and services through a complex network of prices and markets. The Head Committee shall not interfere in the economies exchange of goods and services, whereas the Committee is largely responsible for establishing the markets in major industrial and agricultural enterprise. The currency of Scotland is controlled by the national government, and no state may create its own system of currency. The National government my tax the citizens of Scotland in order to raise sufficient capital to support the operations of the government, including the Militia. Taxes shall be imposed at a flat rate per capita with no exemptions. Bibliography Alexander, D. J. (1989). Issues in Scottish post-compulsory education: social policy and curriculum, Scottish Journal οf Adult Education 9, No 1 Alexander, D. J., Leach, T. J. I. and Steward, T. G. (1984a). A Study οf Policy, Organisation and Provision in Community Education and Leisure and Recreation in Three Scottish Regions, University οf Nottingham Department οf Adult Education Alexander, D. J., Leach, T. J. I. and Steward, T. G. (1984b). Adult education in the context οf community education: progress and regress in the Tayside, Central and Fife regions οf Scotland in the nine years since the Alexander Report, Studies in Adult Education 16, pp 39-57 Denning, P. J. (1993). Access to Higher Education in the Lothians, Unpublished M.Sc dissertation, University οf Edinburgh Entwistle, H. (1978). Class, Culture and Education, Methuen, p 81 Field, John (1993). Developments in vocational qualifications: emerging implications for industrial relations, The Industrial Tutor Spring, p 7 Gerver, E. (1992). Scotland in P. Jarvis (ed), Perspectives on Adult Education and Training in Europe, Leicester: NIACE, pp 389-90 Hamilton, R. (1989) Community education: perspectives on professionalism, access and curriculum, unpublished PhD thesis, Moray House College, Edinburgh Industry Department for Scotland, Scottish Enterprise: A new approach to training and enterprise creation, Edinburgh: HMSO, p 2 McGrath, M. J. (1993). Stevenson College, Edinburgh, personal communication Munn, P. and MacDonald, C. (1988). Adult Participation in Education and Training, The Scottish Council for Research in Education Scottish Community Education Council (1990). Adult Basic Education in Scotland 1990 Scottish Education Department (1975). Adult Education: the Challenge οf Change (The Alexander Report), Edinburgh: HMSO Scottish Office (1991). Higher Education Projections for Scotland (1991), Statistical Bulletin, Education Series Edn/JI/199l/l3 Scottish Office (1992). Adults in Schools and Colleges, Statistical Bulletin, Education Series Edn/K1/1992/2 Scottish Office (1993) Students Registered in Vocational Further Education in Scotland 1990/, Statistical Bulletin, Education Series Edn/F7/1993/9 Scottish Office, Education Department (1992a). The Education οf Adults in Scotland: A report by HM Inspectors οf Schools Scottish Office, Education Department (1992b). A Survey οf the Provision for Adults in Schools, Strathclyde Region: A report by HM Inspectors οf Schools Scottish Office, Education Department (1993a). Scottish Wider Access Programme: A report by HM Inspectors οf Schools Scottish Office, Education Department (1993b). Alive to Learning: Adult Basic Education in Scotland: A report by HM Inspectors οf Schools Steward, T. G. (1990). The development οf Community education in Scotland since the publication οf the Alexander Report. The Challenge οf Change in T. E. Corner (ed), Learning Opportunities for Adults, Routledge, pp 67-76 Steward, T. G. and Alexander, D. J. (1988). Information and Guidance on Adult Learning Opportunities in Scotland, Scottish Academic Press Trades Union Congress (1992). Bargaining for Skills: A Call to Action, TUC Williams, R. (1960) Culture and Society, Chatto and Windus Young, J. D. (1992). John Maclean Clydeside Socialist, Clydeside Press Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Issues of Scotland's Constitution Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2, n.d.)
Issues of Scotland's Constitution Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/law/1712521-constitutional-law
(Issues of Scotland'S Constitution Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words - 2)
Issues of Scotland'S Constitution Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words - 2. https://studentshare.org/law/1712521-constitutional-law.
“Issues of Scotland'S Constitution Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 Words - 2”. https://studentshare.org/law/1712521-constitutional-law.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Issues of Scotland's Constitution

Devolution - British Government

constitution, foreign policy, national security, fiscal policy, international trade policy, nuclear safety, social security, employment policy and health policy (Young 2001)”.... This came into being after a series of issues that started arising in early 1970s in the United Kingdom (Britannica n....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Main Successes and Failures of Tony Blairs Government

In the early years, Tony Blair held several meetings with key African leaders showing how personally he was concerned on developing Africa and making it a free sate of success, a message that went down into giving the Africans more attention beyond the issues of aid.... This implies that the government was not stable and had no strong probability to solve governmental issues or give firm stands concerning the United Kingdom hence Blair had to work hard under his personal capacity to ensure that the UK was better placed as compared to earlier governments....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

The Act of Union

Additionally, the constitution also stipulates that only ministers from the UK parliament have the right to hold executive powers.... In other words, the constitution stipulates that Scotland should operate under territorial rather than state-wide powers.... This constitution clearly states that the UK government is the one with the powers to scrutinise or enhance accountability within corporate bodies operating in the UK.... hellip; The paper shall examine these issues in detail. There are a number of nations within the world that are governed by similar constitutions....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

How Many Checks and Balances the British Government Labours Under

First, the UK has an unwritten constitution or, more appropriately, an uncodified one; second, it has a unitary system of government that has remained unimpaired by devolution of powers to subnational States, such as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.... But checks and balances ensure that no branch of the constitution lets another overreach its powers.... For example, parliament makes laws and the judiciary interprets them in the light of the constitution, even though in the case of Duport Steel versus Sirs in 1980 the judges said "it is parliament's opinion on these matters that is paramount"....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

A Source of New Laws

Thus when the Labour Government took office in 1997, it fulfilled its manifesto promise of incorporating Bill of Rights into the English constitution by means of Human Rights Act 1998.... Hence in UK, sources of law are Acts of Parliaments and Common Law comprising of judge-made laws or precedents....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Rights of Tenants in the Public Sector in Scotland

This paper will show how the rights of tenants in the public sector in Scotland have gradually improved and how these tenancy rights have deteriorated in the private sector due to issues on repair and eviction.... (Scotland) Act 1980, council tenants were given the right to buy their homes (“Ethical Reflections,” 2004)....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Analytical Framework

The distribution of power has used bottom-up strategy to assess the implications of the constitution and politics among the people (Terrence, 2002, p.... Analytical framework is a set of techniques, tools and patterns that give the relationship between different variables in the organization (Enderlein, Walti & Zurn, 2010, p....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Economic Report: The Scottish Housing Market

This report will first provide an analysis of the economic framework of the Scottish housing market over the last 10 years.... The analysis has been provided using economic tools of supply and demand which explain the reasons behind the volatile nature of the housing market.... nbsp;… It also explains how this volatility is detrimental both in terms of efficiency and distribution....
12 Pages (3000 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us