Visit JCPCSupreme Court reflects on its week in Glasgow.
By Vicky Fox, Chief Executive
As the final court of appeal for the whole of the UK, the Supreme Court tries to sit outside London regularly. We do this so that we can engage with people, raise awareness of the Court’s role and show how its decisions can affect every UK citizen’s life.
Although all our hearings are live streamed and available for everyone to see, when Court proceedings are confined to the UK capital - which itself can feel distant - the law can feel abstract, detached, and inaccessible. In the past the Court has sat in the capitals of all the nations, as well as Manchester, and it was an absolute pleasure to return to Scotland last week, this time to sit in Glasgow.
The City Chambers became the Court’s home for a week, and we received a warm welcome from the Lord Provost of Glasgow and all the staff of the City Chambers. Justices and staff alike are extremely grateful for the generous support we received from City Chambers staff throughout the many months of planning and our shared endeavour to make the visit a success. During the week, the Court heard three appeals, which members of the public were able to come and watch in person. It’s gratifying that so many came to George Square to witness the Court’s work, and one appeal – Forthwell Ltd vs Pontegadea better known as the Rogano case - attracted such high numbers that there was a queue around the square and many people watched proceedings on a separate TV live stream in the café because the courtroom was full.
Glasgow threw its doors open to welcome the Court and we took the opportunity to meet as many people as possible. The Justices engaged with the city’s universities and schools, meeting with hundreds of students as well as with the legal community, our Court User group, and legal organisations such as the Law Society and the Faculty of Advocates, the Royal Faculty of Procurators, and the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Lord Doherty gave the Lord Rodgers Memorial Lecture at the Royal Faculty of Procurators. Lady Simler visited the Law Clinic at Glasgow Caledonian University, where she saw the clinic’s work first-hand and took part in a Q&A with students. She and Lord Doherty also spoke to students at the University of Strathclyde. Lady Rose and some of our judicial assistants held a Q&A and recruitment event for Judicial Assistants at Glasgow University. Lady Rose also visited the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, as well as being the guest of The Merchants House. Lord Stephens addressed the Family Law Association Scotland. Lady Simler and Lord Doherty both met pupils from Glasgow's schools for separate sessions of Ask A Justice. Usually these are conducted online, but this time both Justices were pleased to answer the pupils’ questions in person. Lord Reed held a Q&A session with the legal teams at City Chambers.
The Law Society of Scotland hosted a large event where Lord Reed spoke about the history and operation of the Court, gave insights into his own career, as well as the qualities needed to be a Supreme Court judge, influential cases, how the courts and legal profession will need to adapt to modern technology, and the importance of learning from others.
At a welcome dinner on Monday evening, the Lord Provost described the Court’s visit as being more about connection than simply about court proceedings. Without doubt there was a deeply human element to this visit that profoundly connected the Justices and the Court staff to the people they serve. We were met with genuine warmth, local pride, and enthusiasm. We deeply enjoyed our visit and the chance to work in Scotland for a week. In return, we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Court building whenever they are next in London.