In the line of duty: a year in the Supreme Court

2017 was an eventful year for the UK Supreme Court. It began with 11 Justices in post, each deliberating on Gina Miller’s claim that Article 50 of the Treaty for European Union should be triggered by Parliament and not by government. They held in her favour by 8 to 3 ([2017] UKSC 5), affirming the decision of the Divisional Court. The year ended with three new Justices in post, plus a different President and Deputy President.

Lord Neuberger, the outgoing President, retired in September, four months short of his 70th birthday. Lord Clarke retired at the same time, eight months short of his 75th birthday. Lord Neuberger can sit as a member of the supplementary panel of retired judges until 2023. Lord Toulson retired in September 2016 but sat as a supplementary judge on six occasions in early 2017. He delivered the Court’s sole judgment in two cases. Sadly, while undergoing heart surgery in June,