The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Highest court in the UK sits in C in burgh for the first time
Legal landmark as Supreme Court hears four days of appeals outside of London
A “historic” moment in the UK’s judicial system has been marked as the highest court in the land launched proceedings in Scotland – the first time ever outside of London.
The Supreme Court is hearing several appeals in Edinburgh over four days with several justices travelling north for the sessions.
Lord Neuberger, Lady Hale, Lord Kerr, Lord Clarke and Lord Reed took their seat in the City Chambers yesterday.
President of the Supreme Court Lord Neuberger said: “Before we begin, it is right to record that this is a historic occasion: it is the first time that the Supreme Court, or our predecessor the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords, has sat outside London.
“We are delighted to be here, as it enables us to underline the role of the court in serving the people and communities of every part of the United Kingdom.”
As well as providing a change of scenery for the highest tier of the UK judiciary, the event gave a new experience for the walls of the council chamber.
The room is more used to holding banquets, lectures and dinner dances, but an appeal centred on the burden of proof in cases of alleged sham marriage marked a new chapter in its history.
Around 50 people attended the case, including law students taking a rare chance to view Supreme Court proceedings closer to home.
Lord Carloway, the most senior judge in Scotland, is due to sit alongside the justices later this week.
The Supreme Court decision to sit outside London for the first time is a welcome one. At all levels, justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done.
Often lawmakers are accused of hiding on the bench and having no concept of modern life – the more judges are seen in places other than their usual haunts, the more confidence the public will have in them. The use of social media to document the move can only help.