They are the UK's most powerful arbiters of justice and now, for the first time, four of the Justices of the Supreme Court talk frankly and openly about the nature of justice and how they make their decisions. The film offers a revealing glimpse of the human characters behind the judgments and explores why the Supreme Court and its members are fundamental to our democracy. The 11 men and one woman who make up the UK Supreme Court have the last say on the most controversial and difficult cases in the land. What they decide binds every citizen. But are their rulings always fair, do their feelings ever get in the way of their judgments and are they always right? In the first 14 months of the court they have ruled on MPs' expenses, which led to David Chaytor's prosecution, changed the status of pre-nuptial agreements and battled with the government over control orders and the Human Rights Act. They explain what happens when they cannot agree and there is a divided judgment, and how they avoid letting their personal feelings effect their interpretation of the law. And they face up to the difficult issue of diversity; there is only one woman on the court, and she is the only Justice who went to a non-fee-paying school.
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This is informative, educational and inspiring. Every law student who will view this will appreciate added information about the profession.
Wow. These guys love what they do. At their age, there would be no shame at all in retiring but yet they still work - which, as you can see, gives them little free time. I would imagine that at that age free time would be golden. It is obvious that they are well-off and that they could sustain their lifestyles if they were to retire. Yet they do not! It is so nice to see that someone is extremely happy to be in their position.
This was a brilliant documentry.
What a wonderfully group of people, full of intellect and integrity. You can tell right away how passionate they are in fighting for justice and maintaining the rule of law.
Here in Australia, judges have to retire at age 70. Our supreme court is called the High Court, and until the 1980s you could appeal from that to the former House of Lords in London. Abolishing that avenue of appeal was Australia's last step to full independence. I'm proud that my country inherited the English legal system
They have an important message about detachment, impartiality and their own self-awareness in the profession.
A Level Politics anyone ?
21:22 "Great sex ratio"? I actually laughed out loud.
Music in the first 5 mins is called time lapse by Michael nyman
Lord Philips is SUCH A NICE GUY!! Really Wonderful Individual! Lucky the people who are close to him!
15:40 I read an article once that said "when a man succeeds in the workplace it's often because his wife's work allows him to do so." And that's exactly an example like many. More men should openly admit that the sacrifices of their partners allowed them to focus on a high flying career.
I think this is the third time I am watching this documentary. I love it!
Interesting documentary, useful for politics and for the understanding of the judiciary and how it links to civil liberties and judicial independence and neutrality.
Not going to lie, I would love something like this to come out again.... ! Maybe about the UK Legal system in general.... ?
how come they don't get police escort or protection? Surely they should considering the magnitude of their decisions.
In the six years since this film was published three of the four Justices have retired and there is now three female Justices.
Amazing. Great documentary. I find this masters of law so humboldt, than in a way this kind of explain why some institutions can do the difference. In my country, Argentina, The supreme court judges have a life completely different, they have custody 24/7, they not show in public, and they live in a way so different than the rest of the people. That justify, in my opinion, why the people see justice so distant and maybe, completely strange.
Would love to see an updated version
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom is the supreme court in all matters under English and Welsh law, Northern Ireland law and Scottish civil law. It is the court of last resort and the highest appellate court in the United Kingdom, although the High Court of Justiciary remains the court of last resort for criminal law in Scotland. The Supreme Court also has jurisdiction to resolve disputes relating to devolution in the United Kingdom and concerning the legal powers of the three devolved governments (in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) or laws made by the devolved legislatures. The Supreme Court was established by Part 3 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 and started work on 1 October 2009. It assumed the judicial functions of the House of Lords, which had been exercised by the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary (commonly called "Law Lords"), the 12 judges appointed as members of the House of Lords to carry out its judicial business. Its jurisdiction over devolution matters had previously been exercised by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Because of the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, the Supreme Court is much more limited in its powers of judicial review than the constitutional or supreme courts of some other countries. It cannot overturn any primary legislation made by Parliament. However, it can overturn secondary legislation if, for example, that legislation is found to be ultra vires to the powers in primary legislation allowing it to be made. Further, under section 4 of the Human Rights Act 1998, the Supreme Court, like some other courts in the United Kingdom, may make a declaration of incompatibility, indicating that it believes that the legislation subject to the declaration is incompatible with one of the rights in the European Convention on Human Rights. Such a declaration can apply to primary or secondary legislation. The legislation is not overturned by the declaration, and neither Parliament nor the government is required to agree with any such declaration. However, if they do accept a declaration, ministers can exercise powers under section 10 of the act to amend the legislation by statutory instrument to remove the incompatibility or ask Parliament to amend the legislation. The current President of the Supreme Court is Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, and its Deputy President is Baroness Hale of Richmond.
This was a great documentary