Parliamentary Supermacy

The meaning of parliamentary supremacy was expressed by:

• A V Dicey.
• He said: 'Parliament has the right to make or unmake any law it wishes and no person or body has the right to override or ignore the law of Parliament.'
• This means that Parliament is the supreme law making body in the UK.
• It also means that Parliament's laws are the highest form in the UK.

The 7 key features are: (*think ACTMRBE)

• A: if any other source conflicts, the Act will stand.
• C: It cannot be challenged and must be applied in all UK courts.
• T: If 2 Acts of Parliament conflict, the latter will prevail.
• M: Parliament has the power to make or rescind any law it wishes.
• R: Parliament can repeal any law it wishes by majority vote.
• B: Parliament cannot bind its successors.
• E: Parliament can make any laws that apply to past events or events outside the UK. E.g the War Crimes Act.