New U.K. Supreme Court Not So Open After All
The British justices also have snazzier robes. Photographer – Ron Coello
It seems like the new U.K. Supreme Court is not quite so transparent as we were expecting. Yes, all hearings will be televised, unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, but, as the UK Press Gazette reports, press were barred from the official swearing in of the new justices Thursday.
Apparently, the court’s own team filmed the swearing in while the press waited outside. The new justices then stepped outside to have their photographs taken before processing to Westminster Abbey for the service that traditionally marks the beginning of the legal year in England and Wales.
Back in the U.S., some press were at least allowed to watch a ceremonial swearing in of Justice Sonia Sotomayor this summer and her investiture ceremony in the courtroom was open to all the press.
Honors even for the two high courts? Not quite: The U.K. court still has a way better website.
Lawrence Hurley 