Appellate Committee of the House of Lords

What does Appellate Committee of the House of Lords mean in American Law?

The definition of Appellate Committee of the House of Lords in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:

Technically, the highest court in England is the House of Lords itself. In practice, that paramount judicial power is wielded by this committee of the House, to which all legal appeals to the full House are automatically referred.

The Lords of Appeal (also called “law lords”) comprise the committee. They are (1) the Lord Chancellor and ex-lord chancellors; (2) such peers who are or have been members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council or of Superior Courts of Great Britain; and (3) present and past Lords of Appeal in Ordinary. This latter group is made up of persons who have ordinarily held high judicial office who are appointed to the House of Lords (as barons for life) for the particular purpose of serving as Lords of Appeal. At any hearing of a judicial appeal, at least three Lords of Appeal in Ordinary must be present.

In form, the committee reports to the full House of Lords but it is understood that only the Lords of Appeal actually decide the case.