United Kingdom Supreme Court
It will continue the work currently undertaken by the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords. This move 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.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for establishing the Supreme Court.
UK Supreme Court procedures
In July 2003 the department (then the Department for Constitutional Affairs) carried out a public consultation to gather views on the form and responsibilities of the proposed UK Supreme Court.
Who's who
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.