House of Lords fail to agree on new Supreme Court

After three months of discussion, the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitutional Reform Bill today announced it was unable to agree on the two major aspects of the proposed reforms – the abolition of the office of the Lord Chancellor and the creation of a Supreme Court.

The Bill will now return to the House of Lords for further debate on those two issues as well as a number of other questions raised in the committee’s report, including the appointment of senior judges.

Lord Richard, who chaired the committee, today said that he believes the committee’s discussions have nevertheless been useful.

Speaking at a press conference, Lord Richard said: "If the House decides there should be a Supreme Court, then we have cleared the road for its establishment."

Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, sat on the committee which heard evidence from serving and retired judges, as well as bodies such as the Law Society in order to reach its conclusions.