A. V. Dicey Quotes

4 Sourced Quotes

The principle of Parliamentary sovereignty means neither more nor less than this, namely, that Parliament thus defined has, under the English constitution, the right to make or unmake any law whatever; and, further, that no person or body is recognised by the law of England as having a right to override or set aside the legislation of Parliament.

A. V. Dicey
The fact that the most arbitrary powers of the English executive must always be exercised under Act of Parliament places the government, even when armed with the widest authority, under the supervision, so to speak, of the Courts. Powers, however extraordinary, which are conferred or sanctioned by statute, are never really unlimited, for they are confined by the words of the Act itself, and, what is more, by the interpretation put upon the statute by the judges. Parliament is supreme legislator, but from the moment Parliament has uttered its will as lawgiver, that will becomes subject to the interpretation put upon it by the judges of the land.

A. V. Dicey
The beneficial effect of state intervention, especially in the form of legislation, is direct, immediate, and, so to speak, visible, while its evil effects are gradual and indirect, and lie out of sight…Hence the majority of mankind must almost of necessity look with undue favour upon government intervention.

A. V. Dicey
Our constitution, in short, is a judge-made constitution, and it bears on its face all the features, good and bad, of judge-made law.

A. V. Dicey