Beginning Constitutional Law

Whether you’re new to higher education, coming to legal study for the first time or just wondering what Constitutional Law is all about, Beginning Constitutional Law is the ideal introduction to help you hit the ground running. Starting with the basics and an overview of each topic, it will help you come to terms with the structure, themes and issues of the subject so that you can begin your Constitutional Law module with confidence.

Adopting a clear and simple approach with legal vocabulary explained in a detailed glossary, Nick Howard breaks the subject of constitutional law down using practical everyday examples to make it understandable for anyone, whatever their background. Diagrams and flowcharts simplify complex issues, important cases are identified and explained and on-the- spot questions help you recognise potential issues or debates within the law so that you can contribute in classes with confidence.

This second edition has been updated to keep up to date with developments both pre and post the 2015 General Election as well as ongoing proposals for reform including:

• The referendum on independence for Scotland, increased devolved powers and the continued threat of the break-up of the Union
• Proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998 and replace it with a UK Bill of Rights
• Plans for an in/out referendum on EU membership
• Reform of the role and composition of the House of Lords.

Beginning Constitutional Law is an ideal first introduction to the subject for LLB, GDL or ILEX and especially international students, those enrolled on distance learning courses or on other degree programmes.

Nick Howard is a Lawyer in the Office of the Counsel General for Wales, at the Welsh Government in Cardiff. The Counsel General is the Law Officer to the Welsh Government. Nick provides advice to the Counsel General on whether Acts of the National Assembly for Wales are within the Assembly's competence, and whether they are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, EU law and the rule of law; as well as providing advice in connection with the Welsh Government's functions more generally. Nick trained and qualified as a solicitor in local government. He was a member of the legal Bill team who took the Government of Wales Act 2006 through Parliament. He is also a former Principal Lecturer in Constitutional Law at the University of South Wales.