History of Supreme court in Timeline

A supreme court, or court of last resort, is the highest court in a legal jurisdiction. Its decisions are binding on all lower courts and not subject to further review. Supreme courts primarily function as appellate courts, hearing appeals from lower courts. In certain cases, a supreme court can also act as a court of original jurisdiction, meaning it can hear a case for the first time.

1903: Judiciary Act 1903

In 1903, the High Court of Australia was constituted and its first members were appointed under the Judiciary Act 1903.

1909: Supreme Administrative Court founded in 1909

In 1909, the Supreme Administrative Court of Sweden was founded.

1919: Act No. 22/1919

The Supreme Court of Iceland was founded under Act No. 22/1919.

February 1920: First session of the Supreme Court of Iceland in February 1920

In February 1920, specifically on February 16, the Supreme Court of Iceland held its first session.

1920: Austrian Constitution of 1920

In 1920, The Austrian Constitution introduced judicial review of legislative acts for constitutionality, performed by the Constitutional Court.

1933: Parliament abolished appeals in criminal matters

In 1933, the federal Parliament abolished appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in criminal matters.

1933: Abolishment of appeal to the Privy Council in 1933

In 1933, the right of appeal to the Privy Council from the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State was abolished, marking a step towards greater judicial independence.

1945: Supreme Court of Indonesia Founded

In 1945, at the country's independence, the Supreme Court of Indonesia was founded as the main judicial arm of the state.

1947: Privy Council function from 1947

From 1947 to 1950, the Privy Council had the function of apex court of Pakistan.

1949: Appeals to the Judicial Committee were abolished

In 1949, all appeals to the Judicial Committee were abolished, although appeals which were pending could still be decided by the Judicial Committee.

January 1950: Establishment of the Supreme Court of India in January 1950

In January 1950, specifically on January 28, the Supreme Court of India was established, two days after India became a republic. It replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the highest court of appeal.

1950: Federal Court of Pakistan from 1950

From 1950 to 1956 the Federal Court of Pakistan was the apex court of Pakistan.

1956: Supreme Court as apex court in 1956

Since 1956, with the declaration of the republic, the Supreme Court has been the apex court for Pakistan.

1958: Supreme Court building in 1958

Since 1958, the Supreme Court of India has operated from its building in New Delhi.

1972: Constitution of Bangladesh in 1972

In 1972, Part VI, Chapter I (Article 94) of the Constitution of Bangladesh established the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, composed of the High Court Division and the Appellate Division.

1972: Creation of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 1972

In 1972, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka was created after the adoption of a new Constitution.

1973: Creation of the Federal Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates in 1973

In 1973, the Federal Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates was created after the adoption of the Constitution.

1976: Agreement between Nauru and Australia in 1976

In 1976, an agreement between Nauru and Australia allowed appeals from the Supreme Court of Nauru to the High Court of Australia in criminal and civil cases, excluding constitutional matters.

1979: High Court of Australia Act 1979

In 1979, The High Court of Australia Act was established, which, along with sections 71 to 75 of the Constitution and the Judiciary Act, governs the operations of the High Court.

1980: Supreme Court of New Zealand renamed to High Court in 1980

Until 1980, The High Court of New Zealand was known as the Supreme Court.

1987: 1987 Philippine Constitution grants judicial review power

The 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly grants to the Supreme Court the power of judicial review over laws and executive actions.

1993: Introduction of the Justice Court of the Republic in 1993

In 1993, the Justice Court of the Republic was introduced in France to judge government members in place of normal courts.

1994: Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) was created

In 1994, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) was created in South Africa, replacing the Appellate Division as the highest court of appeal in non-constitutional matters.

1997: Transfer of sovereignty in Hong Kong in 1997

In 1997, Hong Kong's colonial era ended with the transfer of sovereignty. The power of final adjudication, previously with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, was vested in the newly created Court of Final Appeal.

1998: Scotland Act 1998

In 1998, Devolution issues under the Scotland Act 1998 were also transferred to the new Supreme Court by the Constitutional Reform Act, from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

1999: Right of abode issue in 1999

In 1999, the right of abode issue in Hong Kong became controversial, raising concerns about judicial independence, specifically related to the interpretation of the Basic Law.

2001: Constitutional amendment to establish the court was passed

In 2001, the constitutional amendment to establish the Constitutional Court of Indonesia was passed.

2003: Constitutional Court was established

In 2003, the Constitutional Court of Indonesia was established, tasked with review of bills and government actions for constitutionality.

2003: Passing of the Supreme Court Act in 2003

In 2003, the right of appeal to the Privy Council from New Zealand was abolished following the passing of the Supreme Court Act.

2003: Military jurisdiction in 2003

Until 2003, there was a separate Supreme Military Court for military jurisdiction matters in Portugal. Presently, military justice matters are under the Supreme Court of Justice.

2004: Establishment of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in 2004

In 2004, the new Supreme Court of New Zealand was officially established at the beginning of the year but did not begin operation until July.

2005: Constitutional Reform Act 2005

In 2005, The Constitutional Reform Act established the Supreme Court.

2007: Constitutional amendment of 2007

Since a constitutional amendment of 2007, the French Constitution states that the High Court is composed of all members of both Houses of Parliament.

October 2009: Establishment of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in October 2009

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom was established on October 1, 2009, replacing the judicial functions of the House of Lords.

2009: Supreme Court Setup in 2009

The Supreme Court was set up in 2009, before which the House of Lords was the ultimate court.

August 2013: Constitutional Court became single apex court

In August 2013, the Constitution was amended to make the Constitutional Court the single apex court in South Africa, superior to the SCA in all matters.