Lord Neuberger envisages UKSC sitting in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff as he announces retirement next Summer

The UK’s highest court should sit in Belfast as well as Edinburgh and Cardiff, the President of the UK Supreme Court said as he announced his retirement.

Delivering the Bar Council Law Reform Lecture 2016 on the history and role of the Supreme Court, Lord Neuberger said that in order to dispel beliefs that the court is English-focussed, the Justices already visit lawyers and institutions elsewhere in the UK.

“But we could do more, and what, in particular, I would like to do is to have the court actually sitting and hearing appeals in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast,” he said.

He envisaged the court sitting in Edinburgh, but not just to hear Scottish cases. It would also hear cases from the UK’s other jurisdictions “in order to remind people that we are a UK court”.

He explained that some English lawyers had expressed doubts about having to travel to Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast, adding: “But that is the equivalent of what Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish lawyers appearing in the Supreme Court have to do all the time”.

Lord Neuberger also confirmed that he will retire at the end of next Summer, along with Lord Clarke.

He noted that the following year another three Justices, Lord Hughes, Lord Mance and Lord Sumption, will have reached retirement age and revealed initiatives to encourage applicants from under-represented groups to apply for the vacancies.

“Our current proposals include offering a half day ‘insight session’. This would include a tour conducted by a senior member of court staff, followed by an opportunity to sit in court, and a meeting with a Justice (not one on the appointment panel). These sessions would be conducted on a one-to-one basis (to avoid putting off those who may not want others to know they are thinking of applying) and tailored to the applicant. Those interested in such a programme would need to meet the minimum statutory requirements (which are not as restrictive as many may think) for becoming a Justice and we would particularly encourage those who come from an under-represented group. More details of what is being offered are about to be published on our website,” he said.