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15:30 GMT, Wednesday, 15 July 2009 16:30 UK

In pictures: UK Supreme Court

The entrance hall to the UK Supreme Court

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Welcome to the most powerful court in the United Kingdom. The Supreme Court represents a historic constitutional change - and it is ready to begin work.

The modern European-style court room in the Supreme Court

The modern European-style court room in the Supreme Court

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The court takes over the work of the Law Lords in Parliament. It will be the final court of appeal on cases of major legal, political or constitutional significance anywhere in the UK.

One of the traditional court rooms at the Supreme Court

One of the traditional court rooms at the Supreme Court

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The court is opposite to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. It has been converted from a former criminal court facility - and it mixes the modern with the historic. The Justices will sit around the crescent bench, opposite the lawyers and the public.

The Supreme Court's emblem

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The incoming Supreme Court Justices want it to have a higher profile - its new emblem combines national symbols of the four nations of the UK, and the Greek letter Omega, symbolising finality.

The carpet at the Supreme Court, designed by Sir Peter Blake

The carpet at the Supreme Court, designed by Sir Peter Blake

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British pop artist Sir Peter Blake created the carpet that runs through the building. Sir Peter is better known for the sleeve art for Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

An angel in the roof of the Supreme Court

An angel in the roof of the Supreme Court

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Other parts of the building remain resolutely traditional, such as the roofing detail. The building isn't as old as it appears - it was completed just before the First World War.

Parliament, seen from the Supreme Court.

Parliament, seen from the Supreme Court.

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The court's home is the former Middlesex Guildhall building which sits opposite Parliament. The politicians will make the laws - and the justices across the road will rule on whether they are fairly applied.

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