Re: The great thing about British courts ...
The job of a court is to interpret generally written law for the circumstances of the case. Where the circumstances aren't those envisaged by the legislators - which is the sort of case that comes before this level of court - then their rulings are guidance as to how other courts should act in similar cases. In general they themselves are guided by previous rulings and by established principles. It's not exactly making stuff up and it's always open to govt. to come along with updated legislation. The sort of clash which could be in the offing arises when the judiciary think the legislators have stepped outside the existing principles. I don't think that happens often but I think we're in danger of seeing it in the UK.