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
- NOVEMBER 2, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The Cardiff mother of a young girl indecently assaulted...
The Cardiff mother of a young girl indecently assaulted by rapist Jonathan Richards told the Echo she wishes he had been given the death penalty
- NOVEMBER 1, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A jury at the Old Bailey, London's main criminal court,...
A jury at the Old Bailey, London's main criminal court, was given a graphic description of life inside Taliban-controlled Afghanistan by an alleged plane hijacker
- OCTOBER 30, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Yasser al-Sirri, an Egyptian living in London, was...
Yasser al-Sirri, an Egyptian living in London, was charged with conspiring to murder the leader of Afghanistan's Northern Alliance, Ahmed Shah Masood
- OCTOBER 25, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A Briton faces the death penalty in Thailand after...
A Briton faces the death penalty in Thailand after being accused of involvement in a heroin-smuggling ring
- OCTOBER 23, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
A man wanted by Egypt for attempting to kill a former...
A man wanted by Egypt for attempting to kill a former prime minister was arrested by British police on suspicion of terrorism-related activities
- OCTOBER 22, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
The right-wing think tank Politeia predicted that terrorist...
The right-wing think tank Politeia predicted that terrorist suspects will use provisions in the new Human Rights Act to avoid extradition
- OCTOBER 16, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Even Osama bin Laden should not be extradited to face...
Even Osama bin Laden should not be extradited to face the death penalty, according to Plaid Cymru MP Simon Thomas
- OCTOBER 9, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
British Prime Minister Tony Blair all but ruled out...
British Prime Minister Tony Blair all but ruled out the prospect of bin Laden's being captured and tried in America
- OCTOBER 8, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Three Tory MPs resigned from the far-right Monday Club...
Three Tory MPs resigned from the far-right Monday Club at the request of new leader Iain Duncan Smith
- OCTOBER 8, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
British journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was arrested...
British journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was arrested by the Taleban after illegally entering the country on September 28, was released
- OCTOBER 8, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned the Taliban...
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw warned the Taliban that the UK will hold them responsible for the safety of British journalist Yvonne Ridley
- OCTOBER 7, 2001United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
Prime Minister Tony Blair ordered an urgent overhaul...
Prime Minister Tony Blair ordered an urgent overhaul of Britain's extradition laws in the war on terrorism