UK Supreme Court Marks its 15th Birthday
16 October 2024
The UK Supreme Court is marking the day its doors were officially opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II, fifteen years ago today (Wednesday 16th October).
Throughout the year the Court has been celebrating this momentous anniversary. Activities have included opening a new public exhibition, running a student essay competition, and, in October, hosting lectures and presentations across the UK.
Lord Reed, President of the UK Supreme Court, said: "Over the last fifteen years the UK's highest court has become one of the most open and transparent in the world, as well as one of the most highly respected."
"The role of the judges remains the same as it was when they sat in the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords, but they now do their work in a much more visible setting. We are very proud of the work we have done, and pleased that we have been able to welcome over 1 million members of the public."
"I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in the next fifteen years."
The first Justices at the Court had previously heard appeals in the House of Lords, where they sat as Law Lords in the Appellate Committee. However, the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 abolished the appellate jurisdiction of the upper chamber, and established instead the Supreme Court. The Law Lords moved to the Supreme Court, where they also continued their duties as members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council - which hears appeals from the Commonwealth.
The Court's Justices have ruled on many cases of national importance over the last fifteen years. These have included cases relating to privacy, the right to die, covid insurance payments, international trade, medical negligence, constitutional issues and human rights.
Some of the most significant cases to come before the Court are displayed in a new exhibition on the 2nd floor of the Court, which is open to the public. Yet all the appeals that come to the Court are important: appeals are only accepted if they raise a question of general public importance.
In total the Court has:
- heard 1,112 cases in front of a total of 33 Justices
- welcomed 1,013,196 visitors
- conducted 5,839 tours
- provided more than 6 million live and on-demand streams of cases
- supported more than 4,000 online course learners
Over the last decade and a half the Court has established itself as an indispensable part of the UK's constitution, a fact symbolised by its location in Parliament Square, opposite the Palace of Westminster and adjacent to Whitehall.
As the new judicial year gets underway, the Justices will once again be hearing legal arguments in a wide variety of important cases.
Members of the public are free to visit the Court, and public tours can also be booked. Full details are available on the Court's website.
The Supreme Court is also working towards unveiling two new websites and improving the portal for users of the Court, putting users at the heart of the Court's work.
Contact information
India Cocking: india.cocking@supremecourt.uk