The new Supreme Courtwill open in October, taking over what was once Middlesex Guildhall, overlooking Parliament (but in a different postcode). The move is symbolic of an attempt to separate the judiciary from the legislature, since the Law Lords used to meet in the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords and the devolution jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. And those names might also suggest that the move is an attempt to simplify things and make access to the ultimate British court more straightforward.
This, I think is the idea, and the move is largely symbolic, rather than being about new powers. Such symbolism is, of course, highly important, and as the Court gets a sense of itself and its authority (or perhaps even its lack of) its role and place in the constitution may change. This said, apart from a documentary by Joshua Rozenberg on Radio 4 yesterday, the airwaves, printing presses and internet have hardly been ablaze with discussion. A long review of two recent books in the current Times Literary Supplement is a notable exception - although it's by Rozenberg again, which may prove my point about the current lack of debate about the place where 'cases of the greatest public
or constitutional importance' will be heard.
There should also be an interesting exhibition for those who do want to visit.
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