Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary
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The Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, also known as the Senior Law Lord, is the highest ranking Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. The holder of this title is the head of the judicial branch of the House of Lords. The current Senior Law Lord is Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers.

Under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, when the judicial functions of the House of Lords are transferred to the new Supreme Court in October 2009, the Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary will become the President of the Supreme Court.

The Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary historically was the Law Lord who was senior by virtue of having served in the House for the longest period. With the appointment of Lord Bingham of Cornhill, however, it became an appointed position. The Second Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary is now in fact the peer who has served for the longest period. When Lord Bingham retired in September 2008, he was replaced by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers,¹ who will go on to become the first President of the Supreme Court.

List of Senior Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

• Lord Goff of Chieveley (1996 -1998)
• Lord Browne-Wilkinson (1998-2000)
• Lord Bingham of Cornhill (2000-2008)
• Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers (2008-2009)

List of Presidents of the Supreme Court

• Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers (2009- )

References

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