Law and order Supreme Court’s five possible rulings

There are five possible outcomes of the Supreme Court hearing.

One: The court upholds the High Court’s findings and decides that prorogation is a “purely political” matter in which courts have no role. Parliament stays suspended until Oct 14.

Two: The court decides it has the right to intervene – establishing a precedent – but that the Prime Minister did nothing wrong on this occasion. Parliament stays suspended.

Three: The Prime Minister is found to have acted unlawfully in proroguing Parliament, but the period of prorogation is not in itself unreasonable. he could then simply prorogue Parliament again, making sure this time it was lawful.

Four: The Prime Minister acted unlawfully in his reasons for proroguing and also suspended Parliament for an unreasonably long time, leaving no legal option but to recall Parliament as early as next week.

Five: The prorogation was not carried out lawfully and therefore never happened, meaning Parliament is still in session. No10 indicated that the Prime Minister would prorogue for a second time, making sure his actions were watertight.