Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the Three Branches of Government to be launched

Commonwealth principles setting out the relationship between parliament, the judiciary and the executive in member countries will be launched at the Commonwealth Secretariat in Londonon 12 May 2004. Announcing the launch the Commonwealth Secretary-GeneralDon McKinnon said today, "These principles will strengthen democracy and adherence to the Commonwealth's fundamental values in member states by outlining the limits of power in the three branches of government, enabling them to interact better in the promotion of good governance and the rule of law."

The Principles govern issues such as the harmonious balancing of power and the interaction between parliament, the executive and the judiciary in democratic societies. They set out in detail the consensus arrived at by representatives of the three branches of government in the Commonwealth on how each of their national institutions should interrelate in the exercise of their institutional responsibility. The principles specify restraint in the exercise of power within their respective constitutional spheres so that the legitimate discharge of constitutional functions by other institutions are not encroached on.

The Commonwealth Principles were finalised by Commonwealth Law Ministers and endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their summit in Abuja, Nigeriain December 2003. The Principles have been developed from the Latimer House Guidelines on Parliamentary Sovereignty and Judicial Independence. These were drawn up in 1998 by four prominent Commonwealth organisations, viz. the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA), the Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges' Association (CMJA) and the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association (CLA).

"This process by which these principles were drawn up provides an excellent example of how Commonwealth civil society can have a key impact on decisions made by member governments," Mr McKinnon added.

The Principles also call for a constructive relationship between government and civil society and a broader opportunity for women to participate in the democratic processes.