What is the function of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?
Maples: In addition to some domestic jurisdictions, it is the final court of appeal for several commonwealth countries, crowned dependencies and British overseas territories. It used to be housed in Downing Street, but now operates from Middlesex Guildhall together with the Supreme Court. Its members are the Supreme Court judges together with certain other judges. Although its role may sound somewhat esoteric, the Privy Council does hear matters of major commercial importance, usually arising from off-shore disputes, which can be of considerable complexity. Editor: What is meant by the statement that the Court determines “devolution” issues? Maples: “Devolution” is another feature of the Labour government’s constitutional reform, whereby devolved administrations, i.e., administrations with powers delegated by Parliament, have been established in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Supreme Court now exercises the jurisdiction previously exercised by the Privy Counsel to determine
