Created by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to separate the highest court from the House of Lords. It hears appeals raising arguable points of law of general public importance, and devolution references.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- supreme
- Court type
- General jurisdiction apex court
- Jurisdiction
- All three UK jurisdictions, except Scottish criminal appeals
- Seat
- London
- Established
- 2009
- Composition
- President, Deputy President and ten Justices; panels of five, seven or nine
- Appointment
- Independent selection commission recommendation, then formal appointment by the Sovereign
- Caseload
- ~200 permission applications and ~80 hearings annually
Where an appeal goes next
None domestically; certain human-rights claims may proceed to Strasbourg
Filing at this court
- Route in
- Permission to appeal, usually from the Court of Appeal
- Time limit
- 28 days from the order appealed against
- Public access
- Hearings streamed live and archived
Decisions worth knowing
- R (Miller) v The Prime Minister2019
Prorogation of Parliament was unlawful and void.
- Uber BV v Aslam2021
Drivers were workers entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay.
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