New permanent exhibition The Law and Us opens at the UK Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is proud to announce that its new permanent exhibition is now open to the public.   

The Law and Us is a new immersive experience which focuses on how the law affects everyone’s lives. Drawing on 70 unique appeals which have been heard at the Supreme Court, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) and the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords - the precursor to the Supreme Court - the exhibition invites the public to learn about how some of the most significant cases in legal history have had a lasting impact on society.   

Visitors can read about each of these appeals in a user-friendly collection of rich case studies, while relaxing on comfortable seating, giving the physical space the ambience of a library. The Law and Us also uses a mix of wall panels and audio-visual displays to explore the role of the Supreme Court, the centuries-long history of UK law, and the development and contemporary global work of the JCPC – the final court of appeal for the UK's overseas territories, crown dependencies, military sovereign base areas and many Commonwealth countries.  

The Court’s copy of the Magna Carta, always one of the most popular exhibits with visitors, has been incorporated into the new experience, as has the formal robe - with gold thread - worn by Justices on ceremonial occasions.   

Visitors are invited to consider their own responses to questions of law, and to also think about whether a legal career might be right for them. Three of the Court's Justices reflect on their own career paths, and as part of a focus on the importance of an independent, impartial judiciary, the Court’s President Lord Reed  explains in a new video how to 'think like a judge’.  

The Court's commitment to fostering a diverse legal community is also highlighted, with contributions from Bridging the Bar interns, a charity that supports budding lawyers from unrepresented communities.  

The Law and Us reflects the Court's vision to serve the public transparently and accessibly, and the exhibition's contents and style will help to support the Educational tours provided to hundreds of school and college pupils by Court staff every year. 

Speaking as the exhibition began to welcome its first visitors, the Court's Chief Executive Vicky Fox said:  

"The Law and Us is an exciting, interactive new exhibition that brings the work of the Supreme Court and JCPC to life, showing how our cases shape society and affect people’s everyday lives.   

"I am delighted to welcome visitors to explore the exhibition and hope they will feel welcome, curious and inspired as they explore why the law matters, and why independence, impartiality and access to justice are so important. I want people leave with a stronger sense of connection to the Court and to the role the law plays in all our lives.”  

The Law and Us was designed in collaboration with Barker Langham, whom the Court would like to thank. 

Entrance to The Law and Us is free - as is entrance to the whole Court building, situated on Parliament Square, where visitors can also explore courtrooms, artworks and temporary exhibitions, before relaxing in our cafe. Guided tours are also available. 

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