High Principle, Low Politics, and the Emergence of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has now been in existence for ten years and appears to have seamlessly become part of the fabric of our legal system.

This book tells the remarkable story, full of twists and turns, of how and why this court came to be created; and in doing so taps into a rich seam of social and political history. It also provides an insight, free of legal jargon, into how the court has “performed” in the light of both the fears and the expectations which greeted its arrival.

The author, who has known personally some of the main characters in the story, has had a long and distinguished career at the Bar, appearing in many landmark cases in different areas of the law. His memoir: Chance, Cheek and Some Heroics was published in 2018, and proved very popular.

PART ONE
A Rumbling Campaign and a Startling Outcome;
Early signs;
The campaign gathers pace;
Derry Irvine stands his ground;
The Government’s volte face;
Picking up the pieces

PART TWO,
“Purists” versus “Pragmatists”: An Arcane Parliamentary Battle,
Hostilities commence,
A “Wrecking Amendment”,
A pause in the hostilities,
Hostilities are resumed,
The Commons takes over,

PART THREE,
The Court Emerges,
Plans, Designs and Micro-management,
The Supreme Court establishes itself,
No “rush of blood to the head”,

APPENDIX,
A New Supreme Court for the United Kingdom (Lord Bingham of Cornhill),