The Supreme Court usually sits in London. The highest civil court in the UK it is the final court of appeal in all court actions which do not involve crime.
This summer it will sit in Edinburgh making history as it has never before sat outside London. There will be several appeals heard while the court takes up residence in the City Chambers where there will be lots of seats for the public to watch proceedings.
The appeals at the Supreme Court (previously the House of Lords) are often televised and, using the council’s own facilities, it is envisaged that the proceedings could be filmed and relayed live as normal.
Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, said: “We make every effort to ensure our proceedings are accessible throughout the UK via our free live streaming service. However, nothing beats being able to observe courts at first hand. We look forward to welcoming members of the public as well as lawyers during what is intended to be the first of a number of visits to the capital cities of the devolved nations.”
Lord Carloway, Lord President of the Court of Session, who will sit alongside Supreme Court Justices to hear at least one appeal during the Court’s visit to Edinburgh, said: “The Supreme Court is the final court of appeal in the UK for civil cases. I am delighted that it will sit in Edinburgh later this year, in the first of a number of planned visits to cities outside London. I welcome the opportunity it provides for the public and the legal community in Scotland to see the court in action.”
Further details of public and media access arrangements, and the court listings, will be published in due course.
Jeremy Balfour, Lothian Conservative MSP, is welcoming the announcement that the Supreme Court, the UK’s highest court, will sit in Edinburgh in June. Jeremy has tabled a parliamentary motion highlighting the announcement and encouraging people to take the opportunity to observe proceedings first hand.
Speaking today Jeremy said:
“I am delighted that the UK Supreme Court will sit in Edinburgh in June, the first time that the court has sat outside London. The Supreme Court is the highest civil court of appeal for Scotland and Edinburgh will be the first of a number of planned visits to the capital cities of the devolved nations.”
“The Court will sit in the City Chambers, home of the City of Edinburgh Council and I would encourage the public to make use of the extensive public seating that will be made available for those interested in observing proceedings.”
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