THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN WRITTEN AND UNWRITTEN LAW AND THE DEBATE ABOUT A WRITTEN CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM
Abstract
This essay aims at reflecting on the persistent relevance of the traditional distinction between ‘written’ and ‘unwritten’ law as an essential feature of the English legal tradition, in order to better understand the current discussion concerning the enactment of a written Constitution for the United Kingdom, after the wide public consultation launched in 2014 by House of Commons. Three main aspects are considered: the difference between the idea of Rule of law and the continental idea of Staatsrecht, the concept of parliamentary sovereignty, the relationship between statute law and case law. It will be argued that even if a written constitution should ever see the light in the United Kingdom, it will presumably have a very particular status. A peculiarly ‘British’ one.
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Review
For citations:
Calzolaio E. THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN WRITTEN AND UNWRITTEN LAW AND THE DEBATE ABOUT A WRITTEN CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. Journal of Law and Administration. 2016;(4):55-62. (In Russ.)
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