THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL
The House of Lords also acts as the supreme court of 
appeal for the whole United Kingdom in civil cases, and 
for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in criminal 
cases. About 70 cases a year are heard, in sessions 
conducted by the Appellate Committee. Judgements are 
delivered in the Lords' Chamber at specially convened 
sittings.

The Lord Chancellor and Lords who have held high judicial
office may sit in the Appellate Committee, but the backbone is
provided by up to twelve Lords of Appeal in Ordinary - salaried life peers appointed specifically to hear appeals under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act of 1876.