header-logo header-logo

Crisis? What crisis?

28 March 2019 / David Greene
Issue: 7834 / Categories: Opinion , Brexit , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail

David Greene lays out the (possible) next steps for Brexit, democracy & the country


We are, no doubt, in a political crisis. One doesn’t need to have taken sides in the debate to conclude to that effect. This process, which has taken a fresh step of indicative votes, has put under the microscope the relationship between the executive and Parliament, having earlier examined the relationship between the government and the judiciary in the Article 50 litigation. The Westminster model which has replicas in many countries, even down to the physical construction of the debating chamber, has broken down. Does it remain fit for purpose?

The UK version of the Westminster model of governance and democracy retains at its heart the foundation stone of elections based on first past the post. This, its advocates say, produces strong governments based on party politics that are in the position to put into effect their manifesto. With a good majority the government can push through its legislative programme as promised to the electorate. It is more difficult when

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

University of Manchester: The LLM driving tech-focused career growth

University of Manchester: The LLM driving tech-focused career growth

Manchester’s online LLM has accelerated career progression for its graduates

mfg Solicitors—Philip Chapman

mfg Solicitors—Philip Chapman

Regional firm strengthens corporate team with partner hire

Switalskis—Sally Christey, Mathew Abiagom & Cyman Kaur

Switalskis—Sally Christey, Mathew Abiagom & Cyman Kaur

Commercial property team expands with trio of appointments

NEWS
Judging is ‘more intellectually demanding than any other role in public life’—and far messier than outsiders imagine. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC reflects on decades spent wrestling with unclear legislation, fragile precedent and human fallibility
The long-predicted death of the billable hour may finally be here—and this time, it’s armed with a scythe. In a sweeping critique of time-based billing, Ian McDougall, president of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, argues in this week's NLJ that artificial intelligence has made hourly charging ‘intellectually, commercially and ethically indefensible’
From fake authorities to rent reform, the civil courts have had a busy start to 2026. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ this week, Stephen Gold surveys a procedural landscape where guidance, discretion and discipline are all under strain
Fact-finding hearings remain a fault line in private family law. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Rylatt and Robyn Laye of Anthony Gold Solicitors analyse recent appeals exposing the dangers of rushed or fragmented findings
As the Winter Olympics open in Milan and Cortina, legal disputes are once again being resolved almost as fast as the athletes compete. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Ian Blackshaw of Valloni Attorneys examines the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS's) ad hoc divisions, which can decide cases within 24 hours
back-to-top-scroll