Significance to the UK

Courts are the final arbiter between the citizen and state and are therefore a fundamental pillar of the constitution. They must be trusted to be independent and impartial.

Transferring the jurisdiction of the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords to a new Supreme Court for the United Kingdom will enhance the independence of the Law Lords and increase the transparency between the top levels of the UK judicial system and Parliament.

To reinforce the public′s perception of independence, the Supreme Court will be situated at the Middlesex Guildhall on Parliament Square, a move away from the House of Lords where the current Appellate Committee is located.