Ministerial Responsibility
/ˌmɪnɪˈstɪərɪəl rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪləti/
Definitions
- (n.) The constitutional or legal obligation of a government minister to be accountable to the legislature and, through it, to the public for the operations and conduct of their department.
Ministerial responsibility requires the Education Secretary to answer questions in parliament about school policies.
- (n.) The principle that a minister must resign if they or their department commits a serious error or misconduct, even if they are personally not at fault.
The scandal led to the Minister’s resignation as an act of ministerial responsibility.
Forms
- ministerial responsibility
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Ministerial responsibility can be divided into collective and individual forms; individual ministerial responsibility specifically refers to each minister's accountability for their department and conduct.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.