Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is the final court of appeal for civil cases across the UK and for criminal cases from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Established in 2009, it assumed the judicial functions previously held by the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords. It sits in London and is composed of Justices led by a President. The court hears cases of significant public or constitutional importance and issues binding interpretations of law. It has ruled on matters including immigration and asylum policy, where it assesses the lawfulness of government decisions against domestic and international legal standards. Its role is adjudicative and independent of the executive; it interprets and applies law rather than setting policy.