UK Supreme Court will sit in the Burgh Court Hall of Glasgow City next week

For the duration of the visit, the Court will operate from City Chambers on George Square. The move highlights the Court’s role as the highest court of appeal for the entire UK and follows previous regional sittings, including a week in Manchester in March 2023 and earlier visits to the UK’s capital cities.

Vicky Fox, Chief Executive of the Supreme Court, emphasised the importance of the Court’s outreach beyond London: “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… 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.”

Court President Lord Reed, who will sit alongside four other Justices during the Glasgow hearings, welcomed the opportunity to return to a city closely linked with his own career. “I am delighted that the Supreme Court will be sitting in Glasgow next year,” he said. “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.”

Glasgow City Chambers | John Devlin

The Supreme Court announcement states: “The City Chambers, renowned for its Victorian architecture and central role in Glasgow’s political life, hosts hundreds of events each year — from civic receptions and major international gatherings, such as those held during COP26 and the UCI Cycling World Championships, to celebrations honouring figures awarded the Freedom of the City, including Nelson Mandela and Billy Connolly. It also remains a focal point for solemn public occasions, including the city’s annual Remembrance Day observance.”

Glasgow City Council confirmed: “The UK Supreme Court will be sitting in the Burgh Court Hall of Glasgow City Chambers at 40 John Street from 18-21 May 2026.The court is open to members of the public on a first come, first served basis. The court will be hearing the cases listed on the Supreme Court website. The court will sit in morning and afternoon sessions. Admission in the morning will be from 10am and in the afternoon from 1.45pm.”

Deborah Henderson, Head of Legal and Democratic Services at Glasgow City Council, said the city was proud to host the UK’s highest civil court: “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.”