header-logo header-logo

The prorogation judgment —a step too far?

17 October 2019 / Nicholas Dobson
Issue: 7860 / Categories: Features , Brexit , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail
9387
Nicholas Dobson shares his analysis of the recent Supreme Court prorogation decision—right but wrong?

Whatever your view of the controversial decision of the Supreme Court on 24 September 2019 in R (Miller) v The Prime Minister; Cherry and others v Advocate General for Scotland [2019] UKSC 41, it is undoubtedly correct in every minute particular. That is, of course, despite the criticism of many respected constitutional and other lawyers including Professor John Finnis FBA QC (Hon), Professor Emeritus of Law & Legal Philosophy in the University of Oxford). He considered the judgment to have been ‘a misconceived review’, an ‘historic mistake’, ‘wholly unjustified by law’ and one which has caused ‘damage . . .to our constitutional doctrine and settlement’ (see The unconstitutionality of the Supreme Court’s prorogation judgment, Policy Exchange 2019).

But why the decision is completely correct is clear from the title of the determining body. For this is, of course, the Supreme Court, whose judgment on the issue is definitive. And it was a strong decision being the unanimous opinion of all 11 justices; the maximum

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

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team

NEWS

Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Could the Labour government usher in a new era for digital assets, ask Keith Oliver, head of international, and Amalia Neenan FitzGerald, associate, Peters & Peters, in this week’s NLJ

An extra bit is being added to case citations to show the pecking order of the judges concerned. Former district judge Stephen Gold has the details, in his ‘Civil way’ column in this week’s NLJ

The Labour government’s position on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is not yet clear

back-to-top-scroll