Circumstances and persons concerned

Ministers may be impeached by the Queen or by the parliament for maladministration (Article 16 of the Constitution). With the consent of the parliament, the Queen may also cause other persons to be tried before the High Court of the Realm for crimes that she may deem to be particularly dangerous to the state.

Modalities and procedure

Proposals for parliamentary resolution are moved in the same way as bills and are subjected to two readings according to the same rules that apply to first and third readings of bills. The High Court of the Realm tries cases of impeachment brought against ministers for maladministration.

Consequences

In 1993, impeachment was brought against a former minister of justice for acting without legal authority in matters concerning refugees.

Have these procedures been applied?   Yes