Doctrine and Contemporary Challenges of Parliamentary Sovereignty


Abstract views: 1 / PDF downloads: 0

Authors

  • Bilal Jathool Lahor Leads University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.468

Keywords:

Parliamentary Sovereignty, Constitution, Judicial Review, Human Rights Legislation, Democratic Control

Abstract

Parliamentary Sovereignty is a fundamental principle of the UK Constitution. It means that Parliament is the supreme law-making authority and has the power to make, amend, or repeal any law. No other body, including the courts, can override or set aside an Act of Parliament. This doctrine was clearly explained by A.V. Dicey, who stated that Parliament has unlimited legislative authority. Parliamentary Sovereignty also implies that no Parliament can bind a future Parliament; each new Parliament is free to change existing laws. Traditionally, courts must apply laws passed by Parliament without questioning their validity. However, in modern times, this principle has faced certain practical limitations due to the development of judicial review, human rights legislation, and the influence of international obligations. Despite these changes, Parliamentary Sovereignty remains the central feature of the UK constitutional system and continues to ensure democratic control through elected representatives.

References

Allah Rakha, N. (2023). Artificial Intelligence strategy of the Uzbekistan: Policy framework, Preferences, and challenges. International Journal of Law and Policy, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.27

AllahRakha, N. (2024a). Impacts of Cybercrimes on the Digital Economy. Uzbek Journal of Law and Digital Policy, 2(3), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.59022/ujldp.207

AllahRakha, N. (2024b). Legal Procedure for Investigation under the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. International Journal of Law and Policy, 2(3), 16–37. https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.160

Deb, A. (2023). Parliamentary sovereignty and the protocol pincer. Legal Studies, 43(1), 47–65. https://doi.org/10.1017/lst.2022.22

Dickinson, H. T. (1976). The Eighteenth–Century Debate on the Sovereignty of Parliament. Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 26, 189–210. https://doi.org/10.2307/3679078

Dr. Syed Raza Shah Gilani, Mr. Ashraf Ali, & Ms. Shehla Zahoor. (2023). Limitations on Parliamentary Sovereignty in the UK: A Critical Analysis. Journal of European Studies (JES), 39(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.56384/jes.v39i1.288

Elliott, M. (2002). Parliamentary sovereignty and the new constitutional order: legislative freedom, political reality and convention. Legal Studies, 22(3), 340–376. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-121X.2002.tb00197.x

Goldsworthy, J. (2022). PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY AND POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY IN THE UK CONSTITUTION. The Cambridge Law Journal, 81(2), 273–293. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008197322000022

Leyland, P. (2011). The multifaceted constitutional dynamics of U.K. devolution. International Journal of Constitutional Law, 9(1), 251–273. https://doi.org/10.1093/icon/mor021

Linnarsson, M. (2022). Radicalism in the old regime: the challenge of parliamentary sovereignty in Sweden, 1769–70. Parliaments, Estates and Representation, 42(3), 233–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/02606755.2022.2133371

Lui, E. (2022). Piercing the Parliamentary Veil against Judicial Review: The Case against Parliamentary Privilege. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, 42(3), 918–942. https://doi.org/10.1093/ojls/gqac008

Masterman, R., & Murray, C. (2020). The Law of Parliamentary Sovereignty. In A.V. Dicey and the Common Law Constitutional Tradition (pp. 162–225). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139236249.010

Nemţoi, G. (2014). The Decisive Role of Parliaments in Democracy of Social-political Life. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 149, 647–652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.08.242

Tremblay, L. B. (2005). The legitimacy of judicial review: The limits of dialogue between courts and legislatures. International Journal of Constitutional Law, 3(4), 617–648. https://doi.org/10.1093/icon/moi042

Vandamme, P.-E. (2020). Can the Recall Improve Electoral Representation? Frontiers in Political Science, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2020.00006

Walters, M. D. (2020). Sovereignty and the Spirit of Legality. In A.V. Dicey and the Common Law Constitutional Tradition (pp. 259–298). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139236249.012

Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Jathool, B. (2025). Doctrine and Contemporary Challenges of Parliamentary Sovereignty. International Journal of Law and Policy, 3(12), 85–103. https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.468

Issue

Section

Articles