View source for Rigid constitution

{{Short description|Most supreme law, above other law}}
'''Rigid constitution''' is a [[constitution]] which stands above the other laws of the country, while flexible constitutions do not.<ref>James Bryce, "Flexible and Rigid Constitution", Studies in History and Jurisprudence. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1901, pp. 124-213.</ref>

[[A. V. Dicey]] defines a rigid constitution as one under which certain laws, called ''constitutional laws'' or ''fundamental laws'' "cannot be changed in the same manner as ordinary laws."<ref name="Dicey">A.V. Dicey, ''The Law of the Constitution'' (1885) (Oxford University Press edition, ed. J.W.F. Allison, 2013, p. 69.</ref> A rigid constitution  set forth "specific legal/constitutional obstacles to be overcome" before it may be amended, such as special approval of the people by referendum, a supermajority or special majority in the [[legislature]], or both.<ref name="RyanFoster">Mark Ryan & Steve Foster, Unlocking Constitutional and Administrative Law (3d ed.: Routledge, 2014), p. 16.</ref> In contrast, a flexible constitution is one in which the legislature may amend the constitution's content and principles through use of the ordinary legislative process.<ref name="RyanFoster"/>

==See also==
* {{annotated link|Constitutional amendment}}
* {{annotated link|Entrenched clause}}
* {{annotated link|Parliamentary sovereignty}}
* {{annotated link|Uncodified constitution}} source of rigid constitution

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Constitutional law]]


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