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
- MAY 2, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty will not be used in Britain, even...
The death penalty will not be used in Britain, even in time of war, under the terms of an international agreement signed by the Government
- APRIL 30, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A human rights group criticised Saudi Arabia's "secretive"...
A human rights group criticised Saudi Arabia's "secretive" judicial system following confusion over the sentencing of seven Westerners on trial for alleged involvement in a bombing campaign in the kingdom
- APRIL 28, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
International human rights groups and British MPs expressed...
International human rights groups and British MPs expressed outrage after two Britons accused of masterminding a bombing campaign in Saudi Arabia were secretly given lengthy jail sentences
- APRIL 27, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A Labour MSP [Member of the Scottish Parliament] expressed...
A Labour MSP [Member of the Scottish Parliament] expressed "deep concern" at reports that a Scot had been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for alleged involvement in a bombing campaign
- APRIL 27, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Britain declined to comment on a report that two Britons...
Britain declined to comment on a report that two Britons had been secretly sentenced to 18 years in jail for alleged involvement in a fatal bombing campaign in Saudi Arabia
- APRIL 27, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A Briton faces beheading in Saudi Arabia after he admitted...
A Briton faces beheading in Saudi Arabia after he admitted planting a car bomb which killed a fellow expatriate
- APRIL 25, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
United Kingdom was a cosponsor and voted for the resolution...
United Kingdom was a cosponsor and voted for the resolution 2002/77 on the death penalty at the 58th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 22, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A British-born Islamic militant, Ahmed Omar Sheikh,...
A British-born Islamic militant, Ahmed Omar Sheikh, and three co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping and murder earlier this year of the Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl as a Pakistani court began hearing the trial
- APRIL 9, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
America asked the UK for the extradition of a gun enthusiast...
America asked the UK for the extradition of a gun enthusiast who moved to Britain in 1991
- APRIL 9, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A British businessman who ran an illicit drinking club...
A British businessman who ran an illicit drinking club in Saudi Arabia was sentenced to 800 lashes in a secret trial
- APRIL 9, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
America asked the UK for the extradition of a gun enthusiast...
America asked the UK for the extradition of a gun enthusiast who moved to Britain in 1991
- APRIL 6, 2002United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Pakistani President Gen
Pakistani President Gen