UK Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is the highest Court of authority in all matters under English, Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish Law. The current President of the Supreme Court is Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, and its Deputy President is Baroness Hale of Richmond.

On the 31st July 2015, the Court held a ‘Mock Trial’ of the Magna Carta Barons at Westminster Hall, in partnership with the 800th Committee. More details on this project can be read here. The full video of the Trial can be watched at the bottom of this page, below.

Upcoming: Magna Carta: Reflections

Leading lawyers reflect on the legacy of Magna Carta.

This autumn, (2 October to 18 December 2015, weekdays only) a special photo exhibition at the UK Supreme Court offers insights into how Magna Carta still influences the legal profession today.

The exhibition comprises portraits of twelve figures drawn from across the legal profession, who each offer an insight into the enduring relevance of Magna Carta in their working lives through a personal statement of around 300 words. The exhibition offers a glimpse of how the fundamental principles associated with Magna Carta influence those working in the law, from former Attorney Generals to high street solicitors.

Pictured: the Hon. Mr Justice Singh.

The black and white photographs are the work of Michael Waller-Bridge, a professional photographer specialising in portraiture and previously in abstract holography. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and held in collections in the USA and Europe. Michael was recently commissioned to create a series of portraits of Parliamentarians first elected between 1945-1969 for the History of Parliament Trust in connection with the Trust’s Oral History project in association with the British Library.

The new exhibition at the Supreme Court (Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3BD) is available to view between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday-Friday until 18 December 2015. Click here for more information.

Magna Carta, Chartered Voyage:

Between the 3rd August and 25th September, ‘Magna Carta: Chartered Voyage’ ran at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

The exhibition, funded by the 800th Committee, saw approximately 20,000 people visit the UK Supreme Court over the summer of 2015, to see this special exhibition which explored the legal impact of Magna Carta in 1215 and beyond.

Interpretative panels explained how the legal significance of Magna Carta developed over time and was used by the courts to protect fundamental freedoms, as well as to inspire emerging nations to place the rule of law at the heart of their written constitutions.

The exhibition was opened formally by HRH The Duke of Kent and HRH Princess Alexandra (pictured, below) at the end of July 2015.

HRH Princess Alexandra cutting the ribbon to open the exhibition (credit: Kevin Leighton)

The centrepiece of the exhibition was one of the later reissues of Magna Carta, sealed by Edward I in 1300, on loan by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.

Alongside the copy of an original Magna Carta, visitors could see a rare copy of the first unabridged English language edition of the charter. George Ferrers’ translation, first published in 1534, was corrected and reprinted in 1542, and a copy of that publication was kindly lent to the Court by the library of the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh.

Activities for younger visitors were available, along with an animated film produced by the Guy Fox History Project, to encourage children to engage with the exhibition material.

For more information about this funded project, click here.

Treason? The Trial of the Magna Carta Barons at Westminster Hall

You can watch the full video here below:

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