The Supreme Court has begun live tweeting its proceedings

Today I learnt that the UK Supreme Court started tweeting its proceedings today. According to an article in the Daily Telegraph it is the first Supreme Court in the world to do so.

It kicked off by live tweeting the swearing in of new Supreme Court Justice Lord Reed.

Follow the Supreme Court on Twitter @UKSupremeCourt

More information about how the Court will use Twitter can be found on the Supreme Court's website:
http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/twitter-policy.html

Justis: Diagram of Court Hierarchy in the UK

Today I learnt that legal publisher Justis provides a breakdown of the UK court structure and hierarchy on its website. They also provide a helpful diagram (attributed to HMCS) which is particularly useful as I can't find one anywhere on the government's new justice.gov.uk website.

There is also a good diagram in the textbook Legal Skills (Finch and Fafinski) but I don't think I can use it in my PowerPoint presentation.

Justis' FAQs:
http://www.justis.com/support/faq-courts.aspx

Finch, E. and Fafinski, S., 2011. Legal Skills. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press: http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199599158.do

The Master of the Rolls - Who, What, Why, Which Rolls?

Today I learnt which rolls the Master of the Rolls is master of.

The Master of the Rolls (currently Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury) is the Head of Civil Justice, the most senior judge dealing with the civil work of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales. As President of the Civil Division of the CoA, he is also responsible for the organisation of the work of the other judges,* is in charge of documents of national importance, and also appoints members of the Solicitor's Disciplinary Tribunal.**

Geoffrey Rivlin gives an interesting account of the history of the office of Master of the Roles in his wonderful book Understanding the Law (5th ed, 2009, OUP). Rivlin explains that there was originally a Clerk or Curator of the Rolls who was "responsible for the safe-keeping of all charters, patents, and records of the most important judgments and decisions of the courts which were entered upon the Parchment Rolls". The role gradually developed, and he became the chief clerk (Master) who advised the Lord Chancellor in the Court of Chancery, and then the deputy judge in that court. "His combined duties as clerk and judge (Master) and keeper of records (Rolls) led to the title Master of the Rolls."**

* Ministry of Justice's information page on the Master of the Rolls:
http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/the-judiciary-in-detail/judicial+roles/judges/profile-mor

** Geoffrey Rivlin's Understanding the Law (2009, OUP):
http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199547203.do

It's a myth! Gavels are not used in English Courts

Today I learnt that gavels are not used in English and Welsh courts. It's a myth! They're only used on TV.

http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about-the-judiciary/introduction-to-justice-system/court-traditions#headingAnchor2

Live Streaming of Supreme Court Proceedings

Today I learnt that the proceedings of the (UK) Supreme Court are streamed live online by Sky News. When there is more than one case being heard, the case of greater public interest will be broadcast. The Supreme Court is the only court in the UK to allow proceedings to be filmed. If you prefer to watch in person then you can do, because the court is open to the general public, who can sit in the public gallery. The court is in recess at the moment though, so don't expect any action until October.

http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/

http://www.skynews.com/supremecourt