News and Events

Court presidency for Chancellor-designate

6 October 2009

Lord Phillips at the opening of BU’s Executive Business Centre

Former Law Lord becomes head of the UK’s highest court of appeal

BU’s Chancellor-Designate has been sworn in as President of the UK’s new Supreme Court.

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, who will assume his role as Chancellor of the University in November, was joined by 10 justices in taking an oath of allegiance.

The Supreme Court is now the final court of appeal for almost all cases in the UK ending centuries of judicial responsibilities within the House of Lords. The change brings the UK into line with many other countries around the world.

"This is the last step in the separation of powers in this country,” said Lord Phillips. “We have come to it fairly gently and gradually, but we have come to the point where the judges are completely separated from the legislature and executive.

"I would hope that the court is still sitting in 100 years' time and that when people look back at this step that they see it as a very significant step in the constitution of this country."

All of the Supreme Court's hearings will be open to the public. For the first time, television cameras have been fitted into the courtrooms meaning that many hearings will be available to broadcasters.

Lord Phillips officially opened BU’s new Executive Business Centre recently, ushering in a new era for the University’s Business School with a vital role to play as a hub and ideas exchange for businesses both regionally and nationally.