Which statement best captures a general role of Parliament with regard to courts and precedent?

Which statement best captures a general role of Parliament with regard to courts and precedent?

• A. Parliament is the supreme law making body
• B. Courts are the ultimate source of law, independent of Parliament
• C. Parliament cannot influence changes to precedent
• D. Precedent can be changed only by the courts

Answer: (A)

Parliament’s role is to make and change laws. In many legal systems, Parliament is the supreme law-making body, so its statutes take priority over other sources of law. Courts interpret and apply those statutes and do develop precedents through judgments, but they don’t set the ultimate law—the power to create or alter the law rests with Parliament. This is why Parliament can influence or overturn precedent by passing new legislation that codifies, modifies, or reverses previous judicial rulings. The other statements misstate this balance: courts aren’t the sole ultimate source of law independent of Parliament, Parliament can influence changes to precedent, and changes to precedent aren’t limited to the courts alone.

Parliament’s role is to make and change laws. In many legal systems, Parliament is the supreme law-making body, so its statutes take priority over other sources of law. Courts interpret and apply those statutes and do develop precedents through judgments, but they don’t set the ultimate law—the power to create or alter the law rests with Parliament. This is why Parliament can influence or overturn precedent by passing new legislation that codifies, modifies, or reverses previous judicial rulings. The other statements misstate this balance: courts aren’t the sole ultimate source of law independent of Parliament, Parliament can influence changes to precedent, and changes to precedent aren’t limited to the courts alone.