What is the role of the SC?

Before Oct 2009, the highest court of appeal comprised of 12 Law Lords who sat in the Appellate Committee of the HofL – there were concerns over the incomplete separation of powers (partial ‘fusion of powers’) – specifically the presence of the lord chanceller/law lords in the upper chamber of the legislature.
Confusion over their work – a widespread failure to understand the distinction between the Lords’ legislative and judicial functions.

In 1998, the ECHR was incorporated into UK law by Blair gov, stating that all legislation, actions and decisions made by any decision makers had to conform to the convention.
This has meant citizens can assert their rights more forcefully.
In cases where human rights have been abused, it has resulted in important court cases with political significance.
A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department(2004) held that the indefinite detention of foreign prisoners in Belmarsh without trial under the Anti-terrorism Act (2001) was incompatible with ECHR.

SC able to question the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies, such as local councils, government departments, police forces or health authorities.
However, it’s limited by parliamentary sovereignty.
Al Rawi v Security Service (2010) – gov wanted to use ‘closed material procedure’, SC said it would undermine civil liberties, parliament passed Justice and Security Act (2010) to allow it.