supreme court

• When was the Supreme Court established?

  By the Constitutional Reform Act 2005
• What is the purpose of the Supreme Court?

  To guarantee judicial independence and separate the judiciary
• What was the highest court before 2009?

  The House of Lords
• How many Law Lords were part of the House of Lords?

  12 Law Lords
• Why was the pre-2009 system seen as a democratic anomaly?

  Law Lords were part of both judiciary and legislature
• Who was the head of the judiciary before the reforms?

  The Lord Chancellor
• What roles did the Lord Chancellor hold?

  Head of judiciary, Speaker, Cabinet minister
• What was the impact of the Lord Chancellor's multiple roles?

  One figure spanned all three branches of government
• How were judges appointed before the reforms?

  Mainly by the Lord Chancellor with PM’s approval
• What key changes did the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 introduce?

  Reduced Lord Chancellor's powers and established Supreme Court
• Who replaced the Lord Chancellor as head of the judiciary?

  The Lord Chief Justice
• How many Justices are in the Supreme Court?

  12 Justices
• What is the purpose of the Supreme Court as established by the reforms?

  To codify and protect judicial independence in law
• What type of court is the Supreme Court?

  Not a trial court
• What does the Supreme Court ensure?

  The rule of law and fair legal process
• What role does the Supreme Court play in judicial precedents?

  Sets precedents that lower courts must follow
• What is judicial review?

  Citizens can challenge decisions by public authorities
• What does 'ultra vires' mean in judicial review?

  Beyond legal authority
• What caused the growth in judicial reviews post-1998?

  Devolution and EU membership
• What reforms were made in 2013 regarding judicial reviews?

  Limited applications by restricting legal aid and raising fees
• What significant role does the Supreme Court play in judicial reviews?

  Key role in major judicial review cases
• What was the outcome of R (Miller) v The Prime Minister (2019)?

  PM's prorogation ruled unlawful
• Why was the prorogation of Parliament ruled unlawful?

  It frustrated Parliament’s ability to function
• What did R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the EU (2016) challenge?

  Government's ability to trigger Article 50 without Parliament
• What was the ruling in R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the EU (2016)?

  Parliamentary approval was required
• What did Steinfield and Keiden v SoS for International Development (2018) rule?

  Civil Partnership Act was discriminatory
• What was the significance of NHS Trust v Y (2018)?

  Created a new legal precedent for treatment withdrawal
• What triggers the appointment of Justices in the Supreme Court?

  A vacancy in the court
• Who is included in the Selection Commission for Justices?

  Supreme Court President, Deputy, UK judge, non-lawyer reps
• What qualifications must candidates for Justices have?

  At least 2 years as judge/lawyer or 15 years at senior level
• Who makes the final appointment of Justices?

  The Prime Minister confirmed by the monarch
• What is the role of the Lord Chancellor in the appointment process?

  Can reject candidates only for lack of qualifications
• How are cases heard in the Supreme Court?

  By panels of 5–11 Justices
• What happens if there is a majority decision in the Supreme Court?

  Majority decision prevails; includes legal reasoning
• What do judgments in the Supreme Court establish?

  Binding precedents for lower courts
• What was the outcome of Guestlife Ltd v Smith (2018)?

  Gig economy workers classed as employees
• What was the ruling in Cliff Richard v BBC (2018)?

  Media breached privacy during investigation
• What did Elan-Cane v Home Secretary (2021) rule?

  No requirement for third gender option on passports
• What was the outcome of Coghlan v Minister for Cabinet Office (2022)?

  Government policy ruled illegal and incompatible with Human Rights Act
• What was the ruling in AAA v Home Secretary (2023)?

  Rwanda deportation plan ruled illegal