Lord Falconer has denied reports that the Scottish executive was not informed of plans to create a UK Supreme Court.

It has been claimed that ministers in the Holyrood parliament were surprised by Downing Street's announcement of plans to replace the law lords.

Whilst Scotland has its own legal system the decision will have significant implications for courts north of the border.

Under the proposals, the new body could hear final appeals in Scottish cases and could settle disputes over the powers of the devolved parliament.

But the new constitutional affairs secretary has rejected the claims and insisted the views of MSPs will be taken into account.

"The opportunity for detailed consultation about how it will be done now exists," Lord Falconer said.

"We must listen as closely as possible to what the whole of the United Kingdom, including Scotland, say about how the supreme court should be introduced."

However he conceded that "great attention" would have to be paid to the impact of the changes on Scots law.

This has not prevented criticism of the plans from all sides of the debate.

Lord Hope of Craighead, Scotland's most senior law lord, cautioned that "crucial questions" remained unanswered.

And the Scottish Nationalists have accused Westminster ministers of "contempt" for Scottish issues.

"I think it is a sign of the quite arrogant contempt for which the prime minister and his ministers hold the Scottish parliament and Scottish democracy," said SNP justice spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon.

The Conservatives claimed Tony Blair had announced the changes on a whim.

"If the prime minister on his own whim, makes a decision with fundamental, far reaching consequences, without consulting the Scottish parliament, that is showing contempt for the institution he is trying to create," said Tory MSP Lord James Douglas Hamilton.