How does the U.K. Supreme Court work?

Summary

The UK Supreme Court ruled that Prime Minister Boris Johnson unlawfully suspended Parliament for five weeks, preventing its constitutional functions without reasonable justification. While Johnson respected the court's judgment, he expressed concerns over its intervention in politically sensitive matters. The Supreme Court, established in 2009, serves as the highest appellate court in the UK, with 12 justices who can rule on significant constitutional issues. The appointment process for justices is complex, and the court cannot strike down laws but can guide their interpretation. Johnson hinted at potential accountability measures for judges, but the full consequences of the ruling remain to be seen.

Takeaways

• 😀 The UK Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson broke the law by suspending Parliament for five weeks, which hindered its constitutional functions.
• 😀 Boris Johnson disagreed with the ruling, calling it an intervention in a politically sensitive matter and raising concerns about setting a precedent.
• 😀 The UK Supreme Court, established in 2009, holds judicial authority once held by the House of Lords and is the highest appellate court in the country.
• 😀 The UK Supreme Court cannot strike down laws but can only rule on their interpretation and application, especially in relation to human rights mandates.
• 😀 If the Supreme Court finds a law contradicts legal human rights mandates, it can instruct Parliament to reconsider the legislation.
• 😀 The UK Supreme Court consists of 12 justices, with an odd number hearing each case to ensure a majority ruling.
• 😀 Justices in the UK Supreme Court are appointed after a selection process involving a committee from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• 😀 The selection process for justices includes consultations with senior judges and high-ranking officials before the Lord Chancellor's approval.
• 😀 Once appointed, UK Supreme Court justices cannot belong to any political party, ensuring their impartiality.
• 😀 Johnson's proposed accountability for judges remains unclear, with the full consequences of the Supreme Court's ruling yet to be fully evaluated.

Q & A

What was the ruling of the UK Supreme Court regarding Boris Johnson's suspension of Parliament?

The UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Boris Johnson's prorogation of Parliament for five weeks was unlawful, as it frustrated or prevented Parliament from carrying out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification.

How did Boris Johnson respond to the Supreme Court ruling?

Boris Johnson respected the court's judgment but took issue with the decision to intervene on an acutely sensitive political matter. He also raised concerns about the precedent the ruling could set.

Why is the UK Supreme Court's decision on prorogation considered significant?

The decision is significant because it involves an intervention by the Supreme Court in a highly political issue, and it may set an important precedent for future legal challenges involving the political powers of the government and Parliament.

What is the role of the UK Supreme Court?

The UK Supreme Court serves as the highest appellate court in the country, hearing cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance. It interprets and applies laws but does not have the power to strike them down.

How is the UK Supreme Court different from the US Supreme Court?

The UK Supreme Court cannot strike down laws like the US Supreme Court. It can only rule on how laws should be interpreted and applied. Additionally, the UK Supreme Court only gets involved in cases of significant constitutional importance.

How many justices sit on the UK Supreme Court, and how are they selected?

The UK Supreme Court has 12 justices, and an odd number of them hear each case to ensure a majority ruling. Justices are selected through a complicated process involving a committee and approval from the Lord Chancellor, Prime Minister, and the Queen.

What are the eligibility criteria for becoming a justice on the UK Supreme Court?

To be eligible for appointment, a candidate must have either served as a high court or Court of Appeal judge for at least two years or have been a practicing lawyer for at least 15 years.

What happens if a vacancy arises on the UK Supreme Court?

When a vacancy arises, a committee representing England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland discusses potential candidates. The committee selects a candidate, whose name is then approved by the Lord Chancellor, the Prime Minister, and the Queen.

What is the retirement age for justices in the UK Supreme Court?

UK Supreme Court justices must retire when they reach the age of 70 or 75, which is why vacancies occur more frequently than in some other judicial systems.

Can UK Supreme Court justices belong to political parties?

No, once appointed, UK Supreme Court justices cannot actively belong to any political party, ensuring their impartiality in legal matters.