The Constitutional Balance

Zusatztext The Constitutional Balance is an excellent book. It represents the culmination of a lifetime of deep thinking about the nature of UK constitutional law. Anyone remotely interested in constitutional theory should read this book this book warrants careful reading by anyone working in constitutional theory and will be an invaluable resource for students Laws has managed to provide a thoroughly accessible book that is nevertheless nuanced and insightful. A fitting final publication for a man whose writing has always struck that balance so well. Informationen zum Autor John Laws Klappentext In The Constitutional Balance Sir John Laws has left a vivid and timely commentary on one of the most pressing issues in the legal world today. The debate continues whether or not judges venture too far into issues of Government policy, and whether or not there are any limits on the power of the executive and the legislature to propose and enact legislation that unduly restricts fundamental freedoms in a democratic society subject to the rule of law.Sir John Laws examines the relationship between constitutional fundamentals and values. He finds basic ideals of reason, fairness and the presumption of liberty in the common law, and recognises that a democratically accountable executive and legislature must be able to make policy and enact and implement legislation to pursue social goals. The courts then interpret the laws. As Sir John puts it - "The meeting of Parliament and the common law, in the crucible of statutory interpretation, is close to the core of [the constitutional balance]".These fundamental values can compete with each other, giving rise to tensions within and between key state institutions, in particular the executive and the judiciary. A 'constitutional balance' between them must be found if the constitution is to function properly, each institution is to understand the proper extent and limits of its authority, and the rule of law is to be maintained. Sir John draws on his life-long experience as a barrister, judge and academic, and on case-law and learning, to explain in vibrant and engaging terms how such a 'constitutional balance' might be achieved. Vorwort This is a compelling exploration of the British constitution by the late Sir John Laws. Written shortly before his death, it draws on his life-long experience as a barrister, judge and academic, and on case-law and learning, to explain in vibrant and engaging terms how a 'constitutional balance' might be achieved. Zusammenfassung In The Constitutional Balance Sir John Laws has left a vivid and timely commentary on one of the most pressing issues in the legal world today. The debate continues whether or not judges venture too far into issues of Government policy, and whether or not there are any limits on the power of the executive and the legislature to propose and enact legislation that unduly restricts fundamental freedoms in a democratic society subject to the rule of law.Sir John Laws examines the relationship between constitutional fundamentals and values. He finds basic ideals of reason, fairness and the presumption of liberty in the common law, and recognises that a democratically accountable executive and legislature must be able to make policy and enact and implement legislation to pursue social goals. The courts then interpret the laws. As Sir John puts it The meeting of Parliament and the common law, in the crucible of statutory interpretation, is close to the core of [the constitutional balance].These fundamental values can compete with each other, giving rise to tensions within and between key state institutions, in particular the executive and the judiciary. A 'constitutional balance' between them must be found if the constitution is to function properly, each institution is to understand the proper extent and limits of its authority, and the ru...

The Constitutional Balance is an excellent book. It represents the culmination of a lifetime of deep thinking about the nature of UK constitutional law. Anyone remotely interested in constitutional theory should read this book this book warrants careful reading by anyone working in constitutional theory and will be an invaluable resource for students Laws has managed to provide a thoroughly accessible book that is nevertheless nuanced and insightful. A fitting final publication for a man whose writing has always struck that balance so well.

Préface
This is a compelling exploration of the British constitution by the late Sir John Laws. Written shortly before his death, it draws on his life-long experience as a barrister, judge and academic, and on case-law and learning, to explain in vibrant and engaging terms how a 'constitutional balance' might be achieved.

Auteur
John Laws was First Junior Counsel to the Treasury, Common Law (1984-92), High Court Judge (1992-99), Lord Justice of Appeal (1999-2016) and Goodhart Professor of Legal Science at Cambridge University (201617).

Résumé
In The Constitutional Balance Sir John Laws has left a vivid and timely commentary on one of the most pressing issues in the legal world today. The debate continues whether or not judges venture too far into issues of Government policy, and whether or not there are any limits on the power of the executive and the legislature to propose and enact legislation that unduly restricts fundamental freedoms in a democratic society subject to the rule of law. Sir John Laws examines the relationship between constitutional fundamentals and values. He finds basic ideals of reason, fairness and the presumption of liberty in the common law, and recognises that a democratically accountable executive and legislature must be able to make policy and enact and implement legislation to pursue social goals. The courts then interpret the laws. As Sir John puts it The meeting of Parliament and the common law, in the crucible of statutory interpretation, is close to the core of [the constitutional balance]. These fundamental values can compete with each other, giving rise to tensions within and between key state institutions, in particular the executive and the judiciary. A 'constitutional balance' between them must be found if the constitution is to function properly, each institution is to understand the proper extent and limits of its authority, and the rule of law is to be maintained. Sir John draws on his life-long experience as a barrister, judge and academic, and on case-law and learning, to explain in vibrant and engaging terms how such a 'constitutional balance' might be achieved.

Contenu
Introduction I. The Vice of Ideology II. Three Aspects of the Human Condition III. Three Constitutional Fundamentals: The Constitutional Balance IV. The Scheme of the Book V. Reflections 1. The Rule of Law I. Two Meanings of the Rule of Law II. The Rule of Law Where Next? III. Independent and Impartial Adjudication IV. Beyond the Th in Theory V. Unison v Lord Chancellor VI. Two Basics: Normative Statutory Interpretation and the Individual's Autonomy VII. Possible Objections VIII. Examples IX. Conclusions 2. Democracy I. The Virtue of Democracy (1): Failed Candidates II. The Virtue of Democracy (2): Its True Virtue III. Referendums IV. Conclusion Restraint 3. Two Moralities I. The Nature of the Two Moralities A. The Natural Provinces of Courts and Government B. The Two Philosophies are Apt to their Respective Spheres C. The Methods of Courts and Government are Suited to their Respective Moralities D. The Two Moralities and the Constitutional Balance II. Trespass A. Criminal Law B. Trespass by Government C. Trespass by Courts III. Justice IV. Postscript 4. The Common Law I. Constitutions II. Statute Law III. The Common Law and Statutory Interpretation IV. The Constitutional Balance V. The Methods of the Common Law A. Precedent B. Experiment C. History D. Distillation E. Conclusions **5. Reason, Fair…