US President Barack Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court. If the choice is approved by the Senate, the 54-year-old federal Appeals Court judge will be the first Hispanic justice to hold such a position in the High Court.

It is expected that the Senate will approve the nomination, as the House is dominated by the Democrats. If endorsed, she will replace Justice David Souter, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Ms Sotomayor's personal rise from a poor childhood in New York's Bronx to the pinnacle of US justice is reminiscent of President Obama's own ascent to power. The US president paid tribute to her as an "inspiring woman" who would bring "depth of experience and breadth of perspective" to the role.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US and has the authority to strike down any state or federal law it considers unconstitutional. Of the nine incumbent justices, four are regarded as liberal, four as conservative. One is seen to be unaligned. If Ms Sotomayor is confirmed, the political balance will remain unchanged, as she - like Mr Souter - is on the liberal wing.