Supreme Court of the United Kingdom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Supreme Court of the United Kingdom |
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| Cornish: An Lys Gorughel Irish: An Chúirt Uachtarach Scots: The Supreme Coort Scottish Gaelic: An Àrd Chùirt Welsh: Y Goruchaf Lys |
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Middlesex Guildhall in London is where the court is located and held at
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| Established | 1 October 2009 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Location | Middlesex Guildhall, Parliament Square, London, England |
| Coordinates | 51°30′01″N 0°07′41″W / 51.5004°N 0.1281°W |
| Composition method | Appointed by the Monarch (Queen-on-the-Bench) on the advice of the Prime Minister, following approval of a recommendation by the Secretary of State for Justice |
| Authorized by | Constitutional Reform Act 2005, Part 3, Section 23(1) and s. 23 (whole section) |
| Number of positions | 12 |
| President | |
| Currently | Lord Reed |
| Since | 13 January 2020 |
| Deputy President | |
| Currently | Lord Hodge |
| Since | 27 January 2020 |
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (often called the Supreme Court or UKSC) is the highest court in the United Kingdom. It is the final court of appeal for most legal cases. This means if a case has gone through other courts, and people still disagree with the decision, they can ask the Supreme Court to look at it.
The court handles important cases that affect the whole country. These include cases about civil law (like disagreements over money or property) and criminal law (for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
Contents
What Does the Supreme Court Do?
The Supreme Court makes sure that laws are applied correctly. It also helps to develop the law. When the Supreme Court makes a decision, it sets a precedent. This means other courts in the UK must follow that decision in similar cases.
Why is it Important?
The Supreme Court plays a key role in the UK's legal system. It makes sure that everyone is treated fairly under the law. It also protects the rights and freedoms of people in the UK. The court helps to keep the government accountable.
Where is the Supreme Court Located?
The Supreme Court is in London, England. It is located in a building called the Middlesex Guildhall. This building is near Parliament Square.
Who Works at the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court has 12 judges, who are called Justices. These Justices are very experienced lawyers and judges. They are chosen by the Monarch (the King or Queen). This happens after advice from the Prime Minister.
The President and Deputy President
The most important judge is the President of the Supreme Court. The current President is Lord Reed. There is also a Deputy President, who is Lord Hodge. These two lead the court and its work.
How Justices are Appointed
Becoming a Justice of the Supreme Court is a big deal. Judges are chosen based on their legal skills and experience. They must be fair and independent. This means they make decisions based only on the law, not on politics or personal opinions.
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History of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is quite new. It was created on 1 October 2009. Before that, the highest court was part of the House of Lords. This was a different part of the UK Parliament.
Why Was the Supreme Court Created?
The Supreme Court was set up to make the UK's legal system clearer. It separated the highest court from the Parliament. This made sure that the judges were completely independent. It also made the court more open to the public.
Images for kids
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Bench and inscription outside UK Supreme Court, "Lines for the Supreme Court" by Andrew Motion
See also
In Spanish: Corte Suprema del Reino Unido para niños
