UK Supreme Court to sit in Glasgow in May 2026

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has announced that it will sit for a week of hearing appeals in Glasgow between 18th-21st May 2026. During the week, the Court will be located in Glasgow’s City Chambers on George Square. This prestigious central location has been the headquarters of municipal government in Glasgow for more than a century and the Court would like to thank the Council for agreeing to allow it to use the Chambers for the week.  

Although the UK Supreme Court is based in London, the decision to sit in Glasgow reflects the Court’s role as the highest court of appeal for the whole of the UK. It follows on from the Court’s successful sitting in Manchester for a week in March 2023, and previous sittings in the UK’s capital cities. The Court’s Chief Executive Vicky Fox said:   

“I’m delighted that the Court will be sitting in Glasgow. The Supreme Court exists to serve the whole of the UK and we are committed to being as transparent and accessible as possible.  Although all our appeals are live streamed, we hope that as many people as possible in Scotland will take the opportunity to watch the hearings in person and that students will join the range of educational programmes that we will be offering. It is going to be a great week.”   

The Court’s President Lord Reed will be joined by four other Justices in Glasgow. Lord Reed, who studied Law at Edinburgh University, has led efforts to make the Court more accessible to the public, and is delighted to be sitting in his native Scotland:   

“I am delighted that the Supreme Court will be sitting in Glasgow next year. I know the city well, having lived and worked there for many years when I was an advocate and a judge in the High Court. I am looking forward now to sitting in the City Chambers with my colleagues, and engaging with school and university students.”  

As well as sitting at the heart of city politics, hosting the council’s elected members and committees, the City Chambers also has an important civic role.  

It hosts around 200 receptions every year, from anniversary dinners for local organisations and institutions, to Christmas lunches for senior citizens and global events. The building hosted city and national leaders from across the world during COP 26, as well as athletes and delegates during the UCI World Cycling Championships, Commonwealth Games and more. 

For more than a century, the City Chambers has been central to solemn events, like the city’s observance of Remembrance Day, and joyous celebrations. From Nelson Mandela to Billy Connolly, those recognised with the Freedom of the City are honoured in the majestic Banqueting Hall. 

Deborah Henderson, Head of Legal and Democratic Services said: 

“We are honoured that the Supreme Court has chosen to sit in Glasgow next year and delighted to be able to welcome the court to the historic City Chambers. 

This will be an exciting opportunity for Glaswegians and people across Scotland to see the work of the UK’s highest civil court, in person.”

Members of the public will be able to visit the Court when it sits in Glasgow to watch the appeals being heard. In addition, cases and judgment hand-downs can be watched live on the Court’s website. A full list of appeals which will be heard will be available on our website later this year.  

For more information, please contact the Press Office.

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Notes to Editors: 

• Details of the cases which will be heard will be confirmed nearer the time. 
• The names of the other Justices will be announced in due course.
• The Court has sat in the following UK cities on the following dates: 
  • Edinburgh: 12 -15 June 2017 
  • Belfast: 30 April - 2 May 2018 
  • Cardiff: 22 - 25 July 2019 
  • Manchester: 6 - 9 March 2023 

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