Modern Meaning

Historically, these powers were part of the common law as a bridge between times of absolute monarchy to parliamentary supremacy. In modern times, some powers remain as part of tradition but are effectively exercised by the Government not the monarch. There are some key royal prerogative powers that still exist.

Domestically these include the summoning of Parliament, appointment and dismissal of the Prime Minister, Royal Assent to Bills, deployment of the armed forces within the UK (defence of the realm) and granting of honours. In relation to foreign affairs powers include declaration of war and deployment of troops overseas, concluding of international treaties and recognition of foreign states.

Sources

Authority for Parliamentary law and custom is found in Erskine May's Parliamentary Practice, which is edited by the Clerk of the House of Commons. This reference book is a secondary not primary source of law. There are four primary sources, practice, Standing Orders, Speaker's rulings and statute.

• Practice

  Precedent is crucial in the functioning of Parliament and means established procedures will be followed unless explicitly altered in statute. Processes can be found through evidence from the official Journals of the House. For example, the rule that each Bill is read three times in each House is followed as a matter of precedent.

• Standing Orders

  Standing Orders are written rules relating to the conduct of Parliamentary business. Standing orders regulate the way MPs behave, Bills are processed and debates are organised. An order is passed by a majority in a single vote in the House of Commons.

  Some are temporary and last until the end of a session in which they are passed. There are around 150 relating to parliamentary business and public Bills and about 250 relating to private business.

• Speaker's Rulings

  The Speaker has been elected by the House to provide guidance and enforce the procedures. The rulings made by the Speaker of the House of Commons can be a precedent for the future.

• Statute

  Statute can relate to Parliamentary procedures. The Statutory Instruments Act 1946 sets out the process for delegated legislation. Such Acts should be enforced by Parliament itself rather than the courts.

Enforcement

The question of enforcing Parliamentary law and custom is complex and raises issues both inside and outside of Parliament.

• House of Commons

  The Speaker who is primarily responsible for enforcing the law and custom of Parliament. The role includes directing an MP to withdraw remarks if they are inappropriate, naming which means putting forward MPs for suspension and suspending the sitting of the House due to serious disorder

  The Sergeant at Arms directs the police on duty in the House and who acts on the authority of the House outside the House.

• House of Lords

  There is a less formal enforcement procedure. The Lord Speaker has no powers to enforce order and Peers are expected to observe the rules.

• Courts

  Parliamentary law and custom is distinguished from other sources of the UK constitution as it is not enforced by the courts. Statute prevails over Parliamentary custom however, the relationship between the common law and Parliamentary custom lacks clarity. Courts can recognise the existence but not enforce, as that is a matter for Parliament.

  Bowles v. Bank of England [1913]

  It was found that resolutions have no legal force outside Parliament itself, with the exception of budgetary resolutions.

  Stockdale v. Hansard (1839)

  It was held that each House was the sole judge of its own privileges and a resolution of the House declaratory of its own privileges could not be questioned in any court of law.