The Court will sit in the Inns of Court Library at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, where President Lady Hale will be joined by Deputy President Lord Mance, Lord Kerr (former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland), Lord Hodge and Lady Black for up to four days of hearings from Monday 30 April 2018.

Announcing the visit today, Lady Hale said: “I am delighted that the Supreme Court will be sitting in Belfast in 2018. As the final court of appeal for the United Kingdom, we hear cases of profound importance to everyone in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“My colleagues and I strongly believe that the experience of watching a case in person should not be limited to those within easy reach of London. This is the second time that the Court has sat outside London and doing so is becoming an established feature of the Court’s calendar.

“Whilst in Belfast we shall hear two significant appeals from the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland. This will be a fantastic opportunity for local people to see the Court in action on their doorstep.

“The Supreme Court is committed to being one of the most open and accessible in the world and, like all our hearings, our Belfast cases will be live streamed via our website for everyone who cannot get to see us in person.”

The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan, said: “I am very much looking forward to welcoming the Supreme Court to Belfast in April. I regard it as extremely significant that the Court is now sitting outside London and I am pleased that Belfast has been chosen as one of the earliest locations to feature in the Court’s calendar. I believe it is important for people in this jurisdiction to have the opportunity to see the work of the Court at first hand, which can only help to enhance public confidence in the administration of justice.”

Liam McCollum QC, chairman of The Bar of Northern Ireland, said: “It is a privilege to welcome the Supreme Court to Belfast next year and I am delighted as Chairman of the Bar of Northern Ireland that the Inn of Court and the associated facilities of the Bar Library have been selected for this honour.

“I am confident that hosting the Justices of the Supreme Court will invigorate the public to learn more about their local justice system as history is made with the Court leaving its London home to visit Belfast for the very first time.”

Ian Huddleston, president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, said: “As President of the Law Society in Northern Ireland I speak for solicitors in Northern Ireland and I am delighted that the Supreme Court is coming to sit in Belfast in April 2018.

“The Supreme Court is the final Court of Appeal in the United Kingdom and it hears and decides cases which involve some of the most important issues of our time. It is important that justice is not only done but that it is seen to be done and the Supreme Court sitting in Belfast brings the opportunity to see justice being done right into our jurisdiction. It is a great honour for our profession but also is a great opportunity for our community.”