15/05/2006
A Supreme Court Building for the 21st Century
The proposals for the refurbishment of Middlesex Guildhall, as the new Supreme Court, were today submitted to Westminster City Council by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
The main alterations proposed to the building are:
Adapting existing historic courts for the requirements of the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC)
Creating a new court in the south wing of the building
Restoring two original light wells
Creating an internal environment suitable for public access
Providing a new library for the Supreme Court
Clearing the basement to provide facilities for the public and an exhibition space
Lord Falconer, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor, said:
“The location and the setting for the UK Supreme Court should be a reflection of its importance and its place at the apex of the justice system and at the heart of the constitution.
“The proposed design offers an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate a historic London building. We plan to deliver a world-class court building that properly meets the requirements and expectations of the public, the Law Lords, the legal profession and court users and is an appropriate home for the United Kingdom Supreme Court. “
The designs have been developed in consultation with the 12 current Law Lords and relevant stakeholders.
To enable the Supreme Court and the JCPC to operate efficiently a number of support services such as catering, security and IT infrastructure will also be provided.
As Middlesex Guildhall is a Grade II
listed building, lead architect Feilden and Mawson, working with Foster and Partners as consultant architect, were enlisted to develop the refurbishment plans. The overall aim is to create suitable, yet imaginative, accommodation for the Supreme Court, while respecting the fabric of the building.
Notes to Editors
1. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (CRA) establishes a new, independent Supreme Court, separate from the House of Lords, with its own independent appointments system, its own staff and budget and, ultimately, its own building.
2. The Supreme Court will:
act as the final court of appeal in the England, Wales and Northern Ireland;
hear appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance;
hear appeals from civil cases in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland; and
hear appeals from criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
3. The current Law Lords will be the first justices of the 12-member Supreme Court and will remain members of the House of Lords once the court is created. All new judges appointed to the Supreme Court after its creation will not be members of the House of Lords; they will become Justices of the Supreme Court.
4. The Supreme Court is expected to open for business in October 2009. For more information on the Supreme Court Project visit: www.dca.gov.uk/supreme
5. The building will be used to house the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as well as the UK Supreme Court because the panel of judges presiding over JCPC cases will almost always consist of Supreme Court justices.
A public exhibition of the design will take place from 15th-17th May 2006. Please call Zoë Campbell, DCA Press Office, on 020 7210 2645 for more information or visit www.dca@gov.uk/supreme
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