The British Supreme Court was established in accordance with Chapter III of the Constitutional Reform Act of 2005, and began to operate on June 65438+10/October 65438 +0, 2009. Its judicial power is mainly inherited from the House of Lords, and these powers have been exercised by 12 permanent appeal judges (commonly known as "senior judges of the House of Lords"), who are also members of the House of Lords. In the past, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council was responsible for judicial power related to decentralization.
The British Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to hear criminal cases in Scotland. All these cases are tried by the Scottish High Court, which is therefore the highest criminal court in the region. However, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, like the former House of Lords, continues to have the power to hear appeals from the highest civil court in Scotland. However, if the appeal is accepted by the Supreme Court, two Scottish defense lawyers must first confirm that the appeal is justified.
The main function of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is to hear appeals from three jurisdictions: England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Supreme Court pays special attention to judicial cases that have important influence on the public. Just like the previous House of Lords accepted the Appeal Committee, commercial disputes, family matters, judicial review involving public institutions and even the "1998 Bill of Rights" can be tried by the Supreme Court. In addition, the Supreme Court can also hear criminal appeals, but in Scotland, criminal cases can only be appealed to the highest Scottish High Court. Because there is no right of appeal, the Scottish High Court is the highest criminal court in the region.