A Supreme Court of the UK was established with effect from 1 October 2009, under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. It assumed the responsibilities of the House of Lords (the Law Lords), including a final appellate jurisdiction over civil cases throughout the UK, and over criminal cases in England and Wales.

On the commencement of the Supreme Court in 2009, the existing Law Lords became its first Justices. All the first Justices will continue to be members of the House of Lords, but will be unable to sit and vote in the House. New Justices appointed after October 2009, however, will not be members of the House of Lords, they will be known as Justices of the Supreme Court.

When writing to a Justice of the Supreme Court they should be addressed as follows:

Dear Lord/Lady Roach

The envelope should be addressed as follows:

The Lord/Lady Roach, PC (if applicable)

In conversation they should be addressed according to title.

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