Compare the role of
the judiciary in
protecting rights in
two political systems
(12)
Appointment
UK
Not a political appointment. Larger group
of justices appointed by panel
UK Supreme Court likely to be more
independent, less biased. UK Govt cannot
influence who is on Supreme Court
US
President appoints justices for life or till retirement
President tries to appoint balance of
conservatives and liberals
Some have been accused of being "too political"
Conservatives Reacted angrily to Obama
appointing Sonya Sotomayor
Powers of the Supreme Court
US
Powers are enshrined in the constitution
UK
Created by an act of UK parliament
UK Supreme Court could be abolished or
changed by another act of parliament
Parliamentary Sovreignty
No parliament can bind its successor
Protecting already established
rights
Bill of Rights
Can make massively important pieces of
legislation based upon its interpretation of
the constitutuion
Roe Vs Wade: Legalised abortion
based on right to privacy
Brown Vs Board of Education: Ended
school segregation by ruling "separate but
equal" unconstitutional
UK Human Rights Act (based on European
Convention on Human Rights)
UK Supreme Court must check if new legislation conflicts with
previous legislation, including HRA
No showdowns yet but House of Lords has
amended anti terror laws in anticipation of a
legal challenge by the Supreme Court for HRA
Theresa May has suggested a Conservative Govt would
repeal the HRA
Freedom of Information
Guardian Newspaper vs UK Govt
Court ruled in favour of Guardian about letter from Prince Charles to Govt
ministers on political issues should be made public. SC has protected rights
by following FoI laws
Resolving disputes between layers
of govt or state/devolved layers
US
US SC overturned Prop 8 (California gay
marriage ban)
UK
Disputes between devolved administrations
and/or UK Govt
Smith Commission proposals limit health and safety powers for Holyrood to
avoid giving it power to inspect Faslane Nuclear Base. UK Govt is wary of UK Sc
challenge by Scot Govt
UK and Scot Govt have taken UK SC cases against each other
Scot Gov Won
Milk Regulations
N. Ire Assembly invloved
UK Gov Won
Scot Gov had failed bid to rule
SC had no power in Scots law