Supreme Court of the UK

  Eight hundred years ago, King John was forced into signing the Magna Carta with rebellious barons. This one document contributed strongly to the development of democracy not only throughout the United Kingdom but in other countries as well. Some of the Magna Carta's core principles are mirrored in the United States' Bill of Rights. Today, that democracy is being protected by the Supreme Court of the UK. Situated across from both Parliament and Westminster Abbey, the building is actually the third court that has occupied this space since 1807. This is the court of last resort except for criminal cases in Scotland, which are handled by the High Court of Judiciary. Until the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005, there had been an overlap of judicial responsibility between the court system and Parliament. Since the Reform, the Supreme Court assumed the judicial functions of the House of Lords. The present building was constructed in 1913 and currently houses three courts; the Privy Council which overseas international issues related to Commonwealth nations; a five judge appellate division; and a nine judge Supreme Court.

The ornate front entrance faces the Parliament building.

The Privy Council court room that in part deals with international issues stemming from the commonwealth nations (the flags on the table represent the various commonwealth countries).

In this court room, five judges decide appellate level issues. The medallion over the judges table represent Britain (the red rose), Wales (the three leaves on the right of the rose), Scotland (the thistle on the bottom left) and Ireland (the blue flower on the bottom right).

Here, the nine judge Supreme Court resides.

The current judges that hear the cases in the three courts and decide the final outcomes.