The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal for all United Kingdom civil cases, and criminal cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland; hears appeals on arguable points of law of general public importance; concentrates on cases of the greatest public and constitutional importance; and maintains and develops the role of the highest court in the United Kingdom as a leader in the common law world. The UK Supreme Court has assumed the jurisdiction of the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords and the devolution jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. It is an independent institution, presided over by twelve independently appointed judges, known as Justices of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was officially opened at the start of the legal year in October 2009. Website: www.supremecourt.gov.uk/