National Assembly Grade 8 Civil Service key terms

The principle that government authority is limited by a constitution and that rulers are accountable to law rather than ruling by arbitrary will.

The division of state authority among legislative, executive, and judicial organs so that each checks the others and no single body holds all power.

Arrangements allowing each branch of government to restrain the others, such as vetoes, judicial review, and confidence votes, preventing the concentration of power.

The power of courts to examine whether laws and administrative acts conform to the constitution and to declare unconstitutional acts invalid.

The doctrine that all persons and institutions, including the state itself, are subject to publicly known laws applied equally and enforced impartially.

The guarantee that state action affecting rights follows fair, lawful procedures, including notice, hearing, and an impartial decision-maker.

A draft legislative proposal introduced in the legislature that becomes law only after the required readings, committee review, and approval steps are completed.

The formal stage at which a proposed bill is introduced to the chamber, its title and general purpose are announced, and it is referred for consideration.

The phase in which a specialized committee examines a bill clause by clause, hears evidence, proposes amendments, and reports its recommendations to the chamber.

A formal proposal to alter the text of a bill or motion by adding, deleting, or substituting words, which must itself be debated and voted upon.

The minimum number of members who must be present for a chamber or committee to validly conduct business or take a binding decision.

A voting threshold met when more votes are cast in favor than against, with abstentions typically excluded from the calculation.

A voting threshold higher than a simple majority, such as two-thirds of members, often required for constitutional amendments or removal from office.

A meeting attended by all members of the chamber, as distinct from committee meetings, where final debate and voting generally occur.

A permanent committee with a defined subject-matter jurisdiction that reviews bills and oversees the corresponding area of government activity.

A scheduled parliamentary session in which members put oral questions to ministers, who must answer and are subject to immediate follow-up scrutiny.

A formal request by a member requiring a minister to explain government policy or conduct, typically followed by debate in the chamber.

A formal proposal by members expressing disapproval of a minister or the government, which if adopted may force resignation or dissolution.

A vote initiated by the government asking the legislature to affirm support for its program, with defeat normally requiring resignation or new elections.

The formal act by which the head of state certifies an adopted law and orders its publication so that it becomes enforceable.

The power of a head of state or executive to refuse assent to a bill, typically subject to being overridden by a specified legislative majority.

A formal revision to the text of the constitution, adopted through a special procedure stricter than the ordinary legislative process.

The latitude granted to public officials to choose among lawful courses of action when applying rules to particular cases, always bounded by legal limits.

Latin for beyond the powers; describing an administrative act that exceeds the authority conferred by statute and is therefore invalid.

A test requiring that a restriction on rights serve a legitimate aim, be suitable and necessary, and not impose excessive burdens relative to the benefit achieved.

A principle protecting a person who reasonably relied on a clear official representation from having that expectation defeated without fair procedure.

A situation in which a public official's private interest could improperly influence official decisions, requiring disclosure, recusal, or divestment.

The voluntary or required withdrawal of an official from a decision or proceeding because of a personal interest or appearance of bias.

A written set of standards governing the behavior of public officials, covering integrity, impartiality, confidentiality, and the use of public resources.

Legal safeguards shielding persons who report wrongdoing in good faith from retaliation such as dismissal, demotion, or other adverse treatment.

A legislative authorization permitting the executive to spend a specified sum from public funds for a designated purpose during a defined period.

The annual legislative proposal setting out estimated revenues and proposed expenditures, which the legislature reviews, amends, and must approve before spending.

Parliamentary scrutiny of how public money is raised and spent, exercised through budget approval, audit reports, and committee inquiries.

An independent body that examines government accounts and reports to the legislature on the regularity, economy, and effectiveness of public spending.

The technical craft of composing statutory text that is precise, internally consistent, and capable of being applied predictably by those bound by it.

A provision defining how terms used in a statute are to be understood, reducing ambiguity and guiding courts in applying the law.

Writing that expresses legal content in clear, direct wording so that the intended audience can understand it on a first reading.

A constitutional provision granting the legislature power to make laws needed to carry out its expressly enumerated functions effectively.

The specific authorities explicitly listed in a constitution as belonging to a particular institution, as distinct from powers inferred from them.

Authorities not stated expressly but reasonably inferred as essential to the effective exercise of powers that are explicitly granted.