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UK Supreme Court to be sworn in UK Supreme Court to be sworn in
(about 7 hours later)
Judges who will form the highest court in the United Kingdom are set to be sworn in on Thursday in a major milestone in British legal history. Judges who will form the highest court in the United Kingdom are set to be sworn in later, marking a major milestone in British legal history.
The Justices of the Supreme Court are replacing the Law Lords as the final court of appeal for almost all cases in the United Kingdom.The Justices of the Supreme Court are replacing the Law Lords as the final court of appeal for almost all cases in the United Kingdom.
The court is independent of Parliament and will hear the most important cases.The court is independent of Parliament and will hear the most important cases.
Lord Phillips, President of the Supreme Court, said the change in their form was important for judicial openness.Lord Phillips, President of the Supreme Court, said the change in their form was important for judicial openness.
The £59m Supreme Court, which sits opposite Parliament in London, opens after it was first announced six years ago. Its first 11 members were until last month the Law Lords who would have otherwise heard the same cases in the House of Lords.The £59m Supreme Court, which sits opposite Parliament in London, opens after it was first announced six years ago. Its first 11 members were until last month the Law Lords who would have otherwise heard the same cases in the House of Lords.
But the constitutional change that led to the Supreme Court's creation means that Parliament's lawmakers and the judges charged with overseeing legislation, have finally been separated.But the constitutional change that led to the Supreme Court's creation means that Parliament's lawmakers and the judges charged with overseeing legislation, have finally been separated.
I would hope that the court is still sitting in 100 years time and that when people look back at this step that they see it as a very significant step in the constitution of this country Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers Profiles: UK Supreme Justices Q&A: UK Supreme CourtI would hope that the court is still sitting in 100 years time and that when people look back at this step that they see it as a very significant step in the constitution of this country Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers Profiles: UK Supreme Justices Q&A: UK Supreme Court
The change brings the UK into line with many other countries around the world. The new court will act as the final court of appeal in all matters other than criminal cases in Scotland.The change brings the UK into line with many other countries around the world. The new court will act as the final court of appeal in all matters other than criminal cases in Scotland.
The swearing in will see Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, become the first President of the Court.The swearing in will see Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, become the first President of the Court.
He will be joined by 10 other colleagues in taking an oath of allegiance to uphold the law. A final twelfth member of the court will be appointed at a later date.He will be joined by 10 other colleagues in taking an oath of allegiance to uphold the law. A final twelfth member of the court will be appointed at a later date.
Lord Phillips said: "This is the last step in the separation of powers in this country. We have come to it fairly gently and gradually, but we have come to the point where the judges are completely separated from the legislature and executive.Lord Phillips said: "This is the last step in the separation of powers in this country. We have come to it fairly gently and gradually, but we have come to the point where the judges are completely separated from the legislature and executive.
"The change is one of transparency. It's going to be very much easier for the public to come to our hearings."The change is one of transparency. It's going to be very much easier for the public to come to our hearings.
"I would hope that the court is still sitting in 100 years time and that when people look back at this step that they see it as a very significant step in the constitution of this country.""I would hope that the court is still sitting in 100 years time and that when people look back at this step that they see it as a very significant step in the constitution of this country."
While the Law Lords' judgements were televised from Parliament, all of the Supreme Court's hearings will be open to the public.While the Law Lords' judgements were televised from Parliament, all of the Supreme Court's hearings will be open to the public.
The building includes a public café and education facilities. For the first time, television cameras have been fitted into the courtrooms meaning that many hearings will be available to broadcasters.The building includes a public café and education facilities. For the first time, television cameras have been fitted into the courtrooms meaning that many hearings will be available to broadcasters.
Lord Phillips: First president of the courtLord Phillips: First president of the court
The Supreme Court sits for the first time later on Thursday to deal with a relatively minor issue relating to legal costs.The Supreme Court sits for the first time later on Thursday to deal with a relatively minor issue relating to legal costs.
Its first major appeal hearing follows next week in a case concerning terrorist suspects whose assets have been frozen.Its first major appeal hearing follows next week in a case concerning terrorist suspects whose assets have been frozen.
Although the actual business and workings of the justices will be essentially the same as the Law Lords, it will be watched closely to see if the move across Parliament Square will affect the way its decides cases.Although the actual business and workings of the justices will be essentially the same as the Law Lords, it will be watched closely to see if the move across Parliament Square will affect the way its decides cases.
One group of influential solicitors and barristers are launching a blog to monitor the Supreme Court's decision-making.One group of influential solicitors and barristers are launching a blog to monitor the Supreme Court's decision-making.
But others have criticised the change, arguing that it is largely a cosmetic exercise.But others have criticised the change, arguing that it is largely a cosmetic exercise.