Subject: CAPE LAW UNIT 1 Forms/s: Grade

12

Topic: Public Law

Date: April 25, 2016 to: April 29, 2016

General Objective(s). On completion of this lesson students should be able

to-

1. Know basic concepts and principles about the composition of

parliament and the Governor General

Class/es: Grade 12 Duration: 60 mins

5

Specific Objectives: On completion students should be able to-

1. Outline the composition of parliament

2. Describe the composition of senate

3. State the disqualification for members of the House of Representatives

4. Describe the role and composition of parliament

5. Discuss the procedures for determining the validity of members of

either House.

6. Outline the appointment of members of the senate by the Governor

General.

7. Outline the appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerk of members of the

Senate and House of Representatives.

Procedures: After or upon presentation of content students should be able

to-
(Students will be asked to download (if they didnt do so) the class-materials
[lectures, documents and educational videos etc.] from Burnett virtual
classroom (YCHS).)

1. The objectives of the class will be stated on the board.

2. Outline the composition of parliament, namely ( s 24- 47 of Jamaican

Constitution):

i. Her Majesty

ii. The Senate

iii. The House of Representatives

3. Describe the composition of senate, particularly,

i. Shall consist of twenty-one (21) persons;

a. Thirteen persons shall be appointed by the Governor

General, on the advice of the Prime Minister

b. Eight shall be appointed by the Governor General, on the

advice of the Leader of the Opposition

4. State the constitutional qualification of being an elector for election to

the House of Representatives:
a. A citizen of Jamaica resident in Jamaica at the date of
registration
b. Commonwealth citizen (other than Jamaican citizen)
who is resident in Jamaica at the date of registration
and at least twelve months immediately preceding
that date, and has attained the prescribe date.
5. State the disqualification of members of the House of Representatives,
namely:
i. Is under sentence of death imposed on him by any court in the
Commonwealth or serving sentence of imprisonment
 ii. Persons who has been convicted of any offence connected with
the election of members of the House of Representatives
iii. Certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be unsound mind
or detained as a criminal lunatic;
iv. Reasons for holding, or acting in, any office the function of which
involves responsibility for, or in connection with in the
constituency in which such person would otherwise be entitled to
vote.
6. State the disqualification of members of the Senate, namely:
I. Is by his own act, under any acknowledgement of any allegiance,
obedience or adherence to any foreign power or state.
II. Holds or is acting in any public office or judge of the
Supreme/Appeal Court, or is a member of the defence force
III. Is a party to, or a partner in a firm or a director or a manger of a
company which to his knowledge is a party to, any contract with
the government of Jamaica.
IV. Has been judged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law
in force in any part of the commonwealth, and has not been
discharged.
7. State the roles within the Senate, namely:
I. When the senate first meets after the dissolution of parliament, it
shall elect a Senator, no being a minister, or a parliamentary, to
be president.
II. When the senate first meets after the dissolution of parliament,
it shall elect a Deputy Senator, no being a minister, or a
parliamentary, to be president.

8. State the roles within the House of Representatives, namely:

I. When the House of Representatives first meets, after the
dissolution of parliament, it shall elect a Deputy Senator, no
being a minister, or a parliamentary secretary, to be, a Speaker.
II. When the House of Representatives first meets, after the
dissolution of parliament, it shall elect a Deputy Senator, no
being a minister, or a parliamentary, to be, a Deputy Speaker
9. Explain the appointment for vacancy within the Senate, namely:
 I. Government senators will, will be appointed in accordance with
the advice of the Prime Minister
II. Opposition senators will be appointed o the advice of the Leader
of the Opposition
10. Outline the appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerk of members
of the Senate, particularly, shall be made by the governor General on
the advice of the President.
11. Outline the appointment of Clerk and Deputy Clerk of members
of the House of Representatives, shall be made by the Governor
General on the advice of the Speaker.

12. List the significance of the Governor General, namely:

i. The Governor General shall be appointed by her Majesty and

shall hold the office as a representative of Jamaica.

ii. Appointment of parliamentary officials

iii. Assents to a bill before it becomes law (s 60 Constitution)

iv. Delivering the Throne Speech at the annual opening of

parliament in which he brought greeting on behalf of the crown
and make an assessment of government policies.

v. Dissolving of parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister

vi. The Governor General is to be informed concerning matters of

Government (s 76 Constitution).

vii. Grant pardon in capital cases (s 90 Constitution)

Culminating Activities:

1. (a) Explain the constitutional significance of the Head of State in any commonwealth
Caribbean country. [10 Marks]

Homework:
1. Research and review all your notes from September to present, and
prepare skeleton responses to past papers questions.

Evaluation: