United Kingdom
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- constitutional monarchy
- CONSTITUTION
- unwritten, partly common law, partly customs and statutes
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on common law traditions with some influences from the modern Roman and continental system, acts of Parliament are not reviewed by the judiciary
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, House of Commons and House of Lords
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- House of Lords (is the highest court of appeal) some Lords are appointed for life by the Queen
RELIGIONS
Christians 59.5%, Muslims 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, others 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7%
From the country
- FEBRUARY 4, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International UK campaigners held a vigil at...
Amnesty International UK campaigners held a vigil at London's Westminster Abbey for British born Jackie Elliott, due to be executed in Texas, USA, for a murder committed in 1986
- FEBRUARY 3, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
"It is outrageous that they haven't taken DNA tests...
"It is outrageous that they haven't taken DNA tests which are very necessary and which could prove his innocence," Conservative MP John Gummer said in relation to Jackie Elliot's case, a UK national sentenced to die in Texas, USA
- FEBRUARY 3, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
"It is outrageous that they haven't taken DNA tests...
"It is outrageous that they haven't taken DNA tests which are very necessary and which could prove his innocence," Conservative MP John Gummer said in relation to Jackie Elliot's case, a UK national sentenced to die in Texas, USA
- JANUARY 24, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
John Gummer, UK Conservative MP, met county sheriffs,...
John Gummer, UK Conservative MP, met county sheriffs, district attorneys and parole board members in Austin, Texas, to plea for the life of British born Jackie Elliott, on death row following a 1987 conviction for raping and murdering a woman
- JANUARY 24, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
John Gummer, UK Conservative MP, met county sheriffs,...
John Gummer, UK Conservative MP, met county sheriffs, district attorneys and parole board members in Austin, Texas, to plea for the life of British born Jackie Elliott, on death row following a 1987 conviction for raping and murdering a woman
- JANUARY 1, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The United Kingdom has signed and ratified Protocol...
The United Kingdom has signed and ratified Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms banning the death penalty in all circumstances
- JANUARY 1, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for...
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder on December 18, 1969 when both Houses of Parliament voted to remove a clause in the Murder Act 1965 restricting the abolition of the death penalty to five years
- JANUARY 1, 2003United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
There were 865 executions in Britain during the first...
There were 865 executions in Britain during the first 64 years of the 20th century
- DECEMBER 2, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The British Foreign Office unveiled a 23-page human...
The British Foreign Office unveiled a 23-page human rights dossier on Iraq and Saddam Hussein entitled "the barbarity of his regime"
- NOVEMBER 7, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Euro-MP Glenys Kinnock renewed calls for Miss Wales...
Euro-MP Glenys Kinnock renewed calls for Miss Wales to abandon her aesthetic ambition
- NOVEMBER 7, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Prince Edward has withdrawn from a reception in honour...
Prince Edward has withdrawn from a reception in honour of this year's controversial Miss World contest, Buckingham Palace said
- NOVEMBER 6, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Miss Scotland Paula Murphy called on the nation to...
Miss Scotland Paula Murphy called on the nation to back her decision not to boycott the Miss World contest