Monthly Archives: May 2014

Conciliation and the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003

Posted on May 30, 2014 by jasonloch

Philip Jones has published a thoughtful piece on conciliation and the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 that’s well worth a read (the text of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 can be found here). I agree that the conciliation procedure is highly problematic, … Continue reading →

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What the Heck is a Corporation Sole?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by jasonloch

In my post about the problems with the Canadian Succession to the Throne Act 2013, I referred to the Crown’s status as a corporation sole. Since then, I’ve been asked about the nature of corporations sole, so I thought a brief … Continue reading →

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Lagassé & Bowden on the Succession to the Throne Act 2013

Posted on May 28, 2014 by jasonloch

James W. J. Bowden (of Parliamentum fame) has co-authored an interesting article with Philippe Lagassé that contends that the Canadian Crown’s status as a corporation sole could render the Succession to the Throne Act 2013 unconstitutional. I’ve discussed these arguments before on my personal blog, … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Monarchy | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Does John Bercow want a management wonk for Clerk?

Posted on May 25, 2014 by jasonloch

Mark D’Arcy of the BBC has written an interesting article about the forthcoming search for a new Clerk of the House of Commons (or, to give the formal title, ‘Under-Clerk of the Parliaments’). The incumbent, Sir Robert Rogers, has announced … Continue reading →

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Scottish Independence and the Constitution

Posted on May 24, 2014 by jasonloch

On September 18, Scotland will vote on whether or not to secede from the United Kingdom. If the Scottish people actually vote to leave (which seems unlikely, if polls are any indication), the United Kingdom will find itself in a constitutional … Continue reading →

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Prince Charles, the Divisible Crown, and Royal Discretion

Posted on May 21, 2014 by jasonloch

Prince Charles has caused controversy by allegedly comparing Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler during his recent tour of Canada. The remarks, which were made during a visit to the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, have caused a mini-tempest, including a … Continue reading →

Posted in British Monarchy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A Small Step For Lords Reform

Posted on May 18, 2014 by jasonloch

Parliament took a tiny step toward reforming the House of Lords when the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 received Royal Assent last Wednesday. The changes are small but significant: peers can now resign their seats, and peers who have been convicted of … Continue reading →

Posted in British Parliament | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Welcome!

Posted on May 16, 2014 by jasonloch

Hello and welcome to A Venerable Puzzle! I’ve been blogging about the British constitution over at my personal blog (The House of Life) for some time now, but in the interests of making that site less of a gallimaufry, I’ve decided … Continue reading →

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