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Overview

High Court of Parliament

The judicial functions of the House of Lords from the early Middle Ages until the Civil War

Civil War to the Act of Union

How the judicial work of the House of Lords developed in the 17th and 18th centuries

Further Reform

The 19th century saw further reform of the House of Lords' judicial functions

Brougham and Vaux changes

The new Lord Chancellor makes his mark

Professional Court

During the 19th century the judicial functions of the House of Lords were formalised and became increasingly professional

20th Century Reforms

The judicial role of the House of Lords continued to change as a result of European Union membership in 1973 and the Human Rights Act 1998

Supreme Court

After centuries as the UK's highest court of appeal, the judicial role of the House of Lords transfers to a separate Supreme Court from 1 October 2009