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30 June 2011 / Oliver Gayner
Issue: 7472 / Categories: Features , Constitutional law
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A love supreme?

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Oliver Gayner reviews the work of the UK Supreme Court in its Hilary term

A busy first term of the judicial year sees the Justices abolish immunity for expert witnesses, among other things, and the Judicial Appointments Committee confirm the appointments of Lord Justice Wilson & Jonathan Sumption QC.

While the UK Supreme Court continues to see a high proportion of human rights and public law cases, its caseload for the Hilary term was notably diverse. Among other issues, the justices were asked to consider noise levels in the knitting industry, the rights of nesting bats, collapsing oil rigs, and the characteristics of a barn as opposed to a dwelling house.

Alongside these more esoteric cases, there were also some more traditionally “Supreme Court” decisions, such as whether it is still justified in law to grant immunity to expert witnesses in civil proceedings, and the remedies available in cases of unlawful detention by government power. Set out below are some of the highlights of the term, both in and out of the courtroom.

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NEWS
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NLJ this week: Property cases reshape established principles
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
NLJ this week: Stress ruling raises the bar for employers
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
NLJ this week: Can Manchesterism revive access to justice?
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
NLJ this week: Constitutional conventions tested as power changes hands
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
NLJ this week: Lawyers must become product designers
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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