10 Apr 2010

US judge, 89, to quit Supreme Court

5:58 pm on 10 April 2010

Two weeks before he turns 90, the oldest member of the United States Supreme Court has announced his retirement.

Justice John Paul Stevens, who was appointed in 1975, leads the court's liberal bloc, the BBC reports.

He says he will step down when the court finishes its work for the summer, in late June or July.

Supreme Court justices serve for life. The US constitution gives the President sole authority to nominate them but nominations must be confirmed by the Senate.