In constitutional theory, the convention of individual ministerial responsibility ensures the accountability of ministers to Parliament. In practice it is frequently used by government to limit rather than facilitate accountability. In this book Diana Woodhouse examines the divergence between theory and practice. She analyzes the situations in which ministers resign, the effectiveness of resignation as a means of accountability, and the abdication by ministers of responsibility. She includes detailed case studies of the resignations, actual and threatened, of Lord Carrington, Leon Brittan,...

These essays are concerned with the legal and constitutional issues surrounding the Pinochet case and are aimed at all those, whether lawyers or non-lawyers, with an interest in the House of Lords' decision and its implications. The introduction provides a calendar of events and considers the interaction between the courts and the Home Secretary in the extradition process. Thereafter, the book is divided into two parts. The first part critically assesses the suitability of the House of Lords, in the light of Pinochet, as the final court of appeal for constitutional and political cases. Part...

The office of Lord Chancellor is one that has frequently been questioned. However, the extent and diversity of the questioning seldom attained the proportions reached in the final years of the 20th century, when they drew attention to the deficiencies of the position of Lord Chancellor, the inherent tensions within that position and the incongruity of such a role in a modern democracy. This book examines these questions. It analyzes the development and current position of the Lord Chancellor as head of the judiciary, member of the Cabinet, judge and Speaker in the House of Lords and considers...