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Ministry of Justice

Who's who

Inside the United Kingdom Supreme Court

The current Lords of Appeal in Ordinary (the Law Lords) will be the first justices of the 12-member Supreme Court and will remain members of the House of Lords once the court is created.

When the Supreme Court comes into existence, the senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary will become the President of the Court and the second senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary will become the Deputy President of the Court.

A new transparent appointments process, that includes an independent Supreme Court Appointments Commission, has been adopted for future Law Lords.

All new judges appointed to the Supreme Court after its creation would not be members of the House of Lords; they will become Justices of the Supreme Court.


President, Supreme Court

Lord Phillips became Senior Law Lord on 1 October 2008.

Chief Executive, Supreme Court

A Chief Executive will be responsible to the President for the operation of the Supreme Court.

Justices appointments process

A new appointments process for Justices of the Supreme Court has already been adopted as Law Lords appointed now are likely to spend most of their career in the Supreme Court.