The role of the UK Supreme Court

What is the UK Supreme Court?

The UK Supreme Court deals with civil and criminal appeals from the Court of Appeal or the High Court. These cases either involve a disputed point of law, or cases where the outcome is considered to be of great importance to the public. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 made provision for the creation of a new Court to replace the House of Lords as the highest court in the UK and it began hearing cases in October 2009. The decisions of the UK Supreme Court are considered binding for the lower courts.

What Court did the UK Supreme Court replace?

Before the Supreme Court was created, the most senior judges sat in the House of Lords, a government building, and acted as the supreme court of appeal. The previous judges (or Law Lords) were also members of the House of Lords. Therefore, they could be involved in political debates concerning the passing of Government legislation.

How is the UK Supreme Court different?

The Court was created in order to attain more transparency between the judiciary and parliament. The UK Supreme Court is also the Supreme Court of Scotland and Northern Ireland and is independent of the Lord Chief Justice, who is the head of the judiciary of England and Wales. The Court has been granted an independent budget (for which it is accountable to parliament) and an independent appointments system, as well as a building separate from the Houses of Parliament.

Who presides over the UK Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court consists of 12 Justices. These judges are supported by a legal and managerial staff. Some of the Justices are former law lords.

What is the role of the UK Supreme Court in Europe?

The UK Supreme Court must take European Union law into account when deciding its verdicts and interpret UK law without deviation from European Union law if possible. In addition, the Court can refer any cases to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, if the way forward to a judgment is not clear to them. The Court must also take account of the rights embodied in the European Convention on Human Rights and be attentive to judicial verdicts emanating from Strasbourg.

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