House of Lords judicial hearings
2 June 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
The Law Lords will hear two appeals this week in Committee Room 1 in the Houses of Parliament
The first appeal, to be heard 2-3 June, seeks clarification as to whether the husband of a sufferer of incurable, progressive multiple sclerosis would be prosecuted should he help his wife to die.
The second appeal, to be heard 4 June, seeks interpretation of the capacity to consent or refuse a sexual touching.
- Visiting Parliament: Watching judicial hearings
- About Parliament: Law Lords
- Briefing: Judicial work (PDF)
The House of Lords is the UK's highest Court of Appeal. A group of Members called the Law Lords, who are highly qualified judges, make case judgments. They also hear and determine appeals. Their decision is final in civil matters for all UK courts and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for criminal cases.
The judicial function of the House of Lords will end in October 2009, when an independent UK Supreme Court is established.
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