| 1 | Central government: sources of powers This note explains what "central government" means in the UK, and sets out the legal sources of its power. It explains, with examples, the range of powers Parliament confers on ministers and other parts of the executive, including powers to legislate; it also discusses European law and how it interacts with domestic legislation to enable government to act within EU law. It explains the Crown's "prerogative powers", giving examples and briefly discussing proposals for their reform, and sets out how the government can rely on the common law to take various actions that are not specifically authorised by legislation or the prerogative (for example, entering into contracts). | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 2 | Commissioning and conducting public investigations and ... This practice note provides an introduction to the substantive issues and law relating to the commissioning and conduct of investigations and inquiries. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 3 | Constitutional legislation in the UK This note explains what is meant by constitutional legislation in the UK. It discusses: The traditional view of the constitution as a body of law and conventions. The High Court's recognition of a separate class of statute in Thoburn v Sunderland City Council [2002] EWHC 195 (Admin). Constitutional legislation post-Thoburn. How constitutional legislation can be distinguished from prerogative legislation and embedded legislation. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 4 | Delegation of statutory powers This practice note discusses ways that recipients of statutory functions can arrange for their powers and duties to be exercised or performed by others. In particular, the note discusses the Carltona doctrine and the use of statutory regimes for contracting-out and delegation. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 5 | EU law and its interpretation in the UK An outline of the EU legislative process and its interpretation in the UK. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 6 | Extent and devolution The note discusses the three devolved legislatures in the UK and the extent to which devolution has introduced new layers of complexity to the UK statute book. The note covers: The extent and application of the three jurisdictions within the UK. How Westminster legislation extends to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 7 | Interpreting legislation under section 3 of the Human Rights ... This practice note explains the rule under section 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998 that, so far as possible, legislation must be read and given effect in a way compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The note explains: The scope of the rule and how it applies to various types of legislation. How the courts have approached its application. The limits of what kinds of interpretation are "possible" to achieve human rights compliance. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 8 | Quasi-legislation: codes, guidance, orders, rules and ... A note on the various types of quasi-legislation and how they should be treated. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 9 | Resolving ambiguities in legislation This practice note discusses the tools available to those who have to apply an ambiguous piece of legislation. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 10 | Saving defective notices This practice note explains the principle established in the House of Lords' case of Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Life Assurance Co Ltd [1997] UKHL 19 and its subsequent application to defects in both contractual and statutory notices. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 11 | Seeking a reference to the ECJ This note explains what the Court of Justice of the European Union (formerly known as the European Court of Justice (ECJ)) is, why a reference would be made to it and who can make a reference. The note gives examples of questions which might be referred to the ECJ and sets out a brief summary of the procedure to be followed and the effect of a ruling by the ECJ on the question referred. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 12 | Statutory interpretation and the doctrine of precedent An outline of the English court system, the doctrine of precedent, and the rules of statutory interpretation. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 13 | The legislative process in the UK and how Bills become law A note explaining the legislative process in the UK Parliament. It provides an overview of how Bills become Acts of Parliament and also explains the different types of Bill that can be introduced into Parliament. The note also explains delegated or secondary legislation. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 14 | The retrospective effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 A note on the extent to which Convention rights may be relied on in relation to acts of public authorities that occurred before the Human Rights Act 1998 came into force on 2 October 2000. | Practice notes | Maintained |