Define: Parliamentary Supremacy

Parliamentary Supremacy
Parliamentary Supremacy
Quick Summary of Parliamentary Supremacy

Parliamentary supremacy, also known as legislative supremacy, is a principle of constitutional law in which the legislative body of a country, such as Parliament, has ultimate authority over all other branches of government, including the executive and judiciary. Under parliamentary supremacy, the laws enacted by Parliament are supreme and cannot be overridden by any other authority, including the courts. This principle is commonly associated with countries following the Westminster system of government, such as the United Kingdom. In these systems, Parliament has the power to enact, amend, or repeal laws, and its decisions are binding on all citizens and government institutions. Parliamentary supremacy is a fundamental aspect of constitutional governance in many countries, providing for democratic accountability and the rule of law.

Full Definition Of Parliamentary Supremacy

The principle that in the UK, Parliament is the ultimate and unchallengeable source of all legislation (rather than, for example, royal prerogative). This principle has its origins in the Bill of Rights and Act of Settlement (1700), which forced Parliamentary control on a reluctant monarchy. The modern view of Parliamentary supremacy has largely been shaped by the writings of John Austin, who considered Parliament to be the supreme rule-giver, with no legal limitations on its authority. In fact, there have been in recent years significant challenges to the notion of Parliamentary supremacy, particularly with the advent of EC (now EU) legislation in the 1970s.

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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.

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