In the British tradition the Prerogative of Mercy is one of the historic Royal Prerogatives of the British monarch in which he or she can grant pardons to convicted persons. In actual practice, this power has been delegated to the Lord Chancellor in England and Wales, the Scottish Ministers in Scotland and the Minister of Public Safety in Canada. The Royal Prerogative of Mercy was originally used to permit the monarch to withdraw death sentences, but is now used to change any sentence or penalty.
This Royal Prerogative power became reviewable by the courts in the key case of Derek Bentley.
Famous quotes containing the words prerogative of, prerogative and/or mercy:
“Universal empire is the prerogative of a writer. His concerns are with all mankind, and though he cannot command their obedience, he can assign them their duty. The Republic of Letters is more ancient than monarchy, and of far higher character in the world than the vassal court of Britain.”
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809)
“I believe that in the history of art and of thought there has always been at every living moment of culture a “will to renewal.” This is not the prerogative of the last decade only. All history is nothing but a succession of “crises”Mof rupture, repudiation and resistance.... When there is no “crisis,” there is stagnation, petrification and death. All thought, all art is aggressive.”
—Eugène Ionesco (b. 1912)
“With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me, it is merely good manners. You may judge which motive is the more reliable.”
—Robert Bolt (1924–1995)