14 June 2007
Work on the new Supreme Court started this week after final contracts were signed with the developer, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice announced today. The building is expected to open for business in October 2009.
After a rigorous procurement exercise, Kier Group has been appointed to carry out the renovation.
Estimated figures released today indicate the costs for establishing a Supreme Court are £56.9m in set up-costs. This is made up of £36.7m of renovation costs which will be paid for by an annual lease charge of £2.1m over 30 years. Both these amounts are within the original estimates. The additional £20.2m covers professional adviser fees, programme team costs, furniture, IT services and library costs.
The renovation will create appropriate accommodation for the highest court in the land (the UK Supreme Court) and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC). The design is both imaginative and respects the historic fabric and architectural merits of the building.
Detailed pictures of the Supreme Court have also been published today.
Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said:
The highest court in the land should be open, accessible and independent. The Middlesex Guildhall will be transformed into a building suitable for such an important institution and enable the court to take its rightful place alongside its prestigious neighbours on Parliament Square.
The pictures show we have struck the right balance of preserving a historic building while bringing new life to that building and providing for greater public access.
Notes to Editors
1. A progress update on the UK Supreme Court was announced by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in a WMS today. The WMS will be available on the parliamentary website
2. Images and renovation plans
3. The Supreme Court will:
- act as the final court of appeal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland;
- hear appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance;
- hear appeals from civil cases in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland; and
- hear appeals from criminal cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
4. The current Law Lords will be the first justices of the 12-member Supreme Court and will remain members of the House of Lords once the court is created. New judges appointed to the Supreme Court after its creation will not be members of the House of Lords; they will become Justices of the Supreme Court.
5. As Middlesex Guildhall is a Grade II* listed building, the then-DCA employed the expertise of conservation architects Feilden+Mawson to develop the refurbishment plans. Feilden+Mawson, who were supported by Foster & Partners during the design and planning stages, will remain throughout the project in an advisory role.
6. For more information visit the UK Supreme Court website
7. For more media information and graphics of the designs please call Alfred Bacchus, Ministry of Justice Press Office, on 020 7210 1476.
ENDS