Role of The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court, as well as being the final court of appeal, plays an important role in the development of United Kingdom law.

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As an appeal court, The Supreme Court cannot consider a case unless a relevant order has been made in a lower court.

The Supreme Court

  • is the final court of appeal for all United Kingdom civil cases, and criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
    • hears appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance
      • concentrates on cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance
        • maintains and develops the role of the highest court in the United Kingdom as a leader in the common law world

          The Supreme Court hears appeals from the following courts in each jurisdiction:

          England and Wales

          • The Court of Appeal, Civil Division
            • The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division
              • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                Northern Ireland

                • The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland
                  • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                    Scotland

                    • The Court of Session

                      Click here to download a factual guide to The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Scottish Appeals: Human rights and the Scotland Act 2012 (PDF).

                      Please click here to download a full guide to appealing to The Supreme Court (PDF) or our Guide to proceedings for those without a legal representative.

                      Learn more about The Supreme Court.

                      As an appeal court, The Supreme Court cannot consider a case unless a relevant order has been made in a lower court.

                      The Supreme Court

                      • is the final court of appeal for all United Kingdom civil cases, and criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
                        • hears appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance
                          • concentrates on cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance
                            • maintains and develops the role of the highest court in the United Kingdom as a leader in the common law world

                              The Supreme Court hears appeals from the following courts in each jurisdiction:

                              England and Wales

                              • The Court of Appeal, Civil Division
                                • The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division
                                  • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                                    Northern Ireland

                                    • The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland
                                      • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                                        Scotland

                                        • The Court of Session

                                          Click here to download a factual guide to The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Scottish Appeals: Human rights and the Scotland Act 2012 (PDF).

                                          Please click here to download a full guide to appealing to The Supreme Court (PDF) or our Guide to proceedings for those without a legal representative.

                                          Learn more about The Supreme Court.

                                          As an appeal court, The Supreme Court cannot consider a case unless a relevant order has been made in a lower court.

                                          The Supreme Court

                                          • is the final court of appeal for all United Kingdom civil cases, and criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
                                            • hears appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance
                                              • concentrates on cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance
                                                • maintains and develops the role of the highest court in the United Kingdom as a leader in the common law world

                                                  The Supreme Court hears appeals from the following courts in each jurisdiction:

                                                  England and Wales

                                                  • The Court of Appeal, Civil Division
                                                    • The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division
                                                      • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                                                        Northern Ireland

                                                        • The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland
                                                          • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                                                            Scotland

                                                            • The Court of Session

                                                              Click here to download a factual guide to The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Scottish Appeals: Human rights and the Scotland Act 2012 (PDF).

                                                              Please click here to download a full guide to appealing to The Supreme Court (PDF) or our Guide to proceedings for those without a legal representative.

                                                              Learn more about The Supreme Court.

                                                              As an appeal court, The Supreme Court cannot consider a case unless a relevant order has been made in a lower court.

                                                              The Supreme Court

                                                              • is the final court of appeal for all United Kingdom civil cases, and criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
                                                                • hears appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance
                                                                  • concentrates on cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance
                                                                    • maintains and develops the role of the highest court in the United Kingdom as a leader in the common law world

                                                                      The Supreme Court hears appeals from the following courts in each jurisdiction:

                                                                      England and Wales

                                                                      • The Court of Appeal, Civil Division
                                                                        • The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division
                                                                          • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                                                                            Northern Ireland

                                                                            • The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland
                                                                              • (in some limited cases) the High Court

                                                                                Scotland

                                                                                • The Court of Session

                                                                                  Click here to download a factual guide to The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Scottish Appeals: Human rights and the Scotland Act 2012 (PDF).

                                                                                  Please click here to download a full guide to appealing to The Supreme Court (PDF) or our Guide to proceedings for those without a legal representative.

                                                                                  Learn more about The Supreme Court.

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