Exercises. 1. Find the English equivalents for the following words and expressions in the text:

1. Find the English equivalents for the following words and expressions in the text:

1. некодифицированная конституция

2. договор

3. отсутствие письменной конституции

4. смена режима

5. принимать закон

6. определяющий принцип

7. унитарное (централизованное) государство

8. вносить изменения в конституцию

9. наследные пэры

10. передача полномочий

2. Complete the following sentences:

1. Among the most important sources of Britain’s uncodified constitution one can name ……………….

2. The core principles of Britain’s constitution are ………………

3. The main aim of any constitution is ………………..

4. The flexibility of UK constitution is evident from …………

3. Answer the following questions:

1. What does the term ‘uncodified’ constitution mean?

2. What are the historical principles for Britain’s lack of codified constitution?

3. What are the sources of Britain’s uncodified constitution?

4. What are the core principles of the UK constitution?

Text 4: “The UK Bill of Rights”

Task 1: read and translate the text

The Bill of Rights is an Act of Parliament which was passed on 16 December 1689. It was a restatement in statutory form of the Declaration of Right presented by Parliament to William and Mary in March 1689, inviting them to become joint sovereigns of England. It lays down limits on the powers of sovereign and sets out the rights of Parliament and rules for freedom of speech in Parliament, the requirement to regular elections to Parliament and the right to petition the monarch without fear of retribution. It re-established the liberty of Protestants to have arms for their defence within the rule of law.

Along with the Act of Settlement (1701), the Bill of Rights is still in effect. It is one of the main constitutional laws governing the succession to the throne of the United Kingdom. The Bill of Rights barred Roman Catholics from the throne, the parliament, and the armed services of England. Thus it subjected faithful Catholics to second-class status and removed them from public life.

It also laid out certain basic rights for all Englishmen. These rights continue to apply today, not only in England and Wales, but in each of the jurisdictions of the Commonwealth realms as well. The Act set out that there should be:

• no royal interference with the law. He or she cannot unilaterally establish new courts or act as a judge.
• no taxation by Royal Prerogative. The consent of parliament became necessary for the implementation of any new taxes.
• freedom to petition the monarch without fear of retribution
• no standing army may be maintained during a time of peace without the consent of parliament.
• no royal interference in the freedom of the people to have arms for their own defence as suitable to their class and as allowed by law.
• no royal interference in the election of members of parliament
• the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament
• "grants and promises of fines or forfeitures" before conviction are void
• no excessive bail or "cruel and unusual" punishments may be imposed.