Composition
The Court consists of the President, the Deputy President and no more than ten other Justices. A vacancy does not prevent the Court sitting where it is otherwise duly constituted.
Supreme Court of United Hampshire
The Supreme Court is a court of record and the final court of appeal within the judicial competence of the United Hampshire State, subject to any express constitutional provision to the contrary.
Panels
Proceedings are heard by an uneven number of Justices, normally at least three. Five or more should ordinarily sit for a point of exceptional constitutional importance or where the Court is considering departure from its own previous authority.
Appeals
Subject to legislation governing the appeal, an appeal may lie from the Court of Appeal with permission from the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. Disagreement with findings of fact alone does not create a right of appeal.
Constitutional questions
The Court may determine constitutional, competence or devolution questions where an enactment gives it jurisdiction. It determines only the question lawfully referred.
Judicial independence
The Supreme Court is institutionally separate from Government, the Ministry of Justice and the courts administration service. Administrative support and public resources do not confer power to direct the outcome of a case.
Rules and practice directions
The President may make Supreme Court Rules under the statutory process and may issue practice directions consistent with legislation and those Rules. Rules may regulate procedure but cannot create substantive jurisdiction or a substantive right of appeal.
Judgments
The decision of the majority is the decision of the Court. A Justice may give a concurring or dissenting judgment. Judgments and reasons are published subject to lawful restrictions concerning privacy, safeguarding, national security, contempt, confidential information and the administration of justice.
Judgments and sentencing remarks
Administration
The Court is supported by a Chief Executive and staff. The Ministry of Justice arranges resources, systems and accommodation through the applicable public-finance machinery while respecting the Court’s institutional independence.
Statutory basis
Part 3 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2026 establishes the Court, its Justices, jurisdiction, procedure and administration.