Supreme Court in Belfast
The UK Supreme Court is to sit in Belfast for the first time next month. From Monday 30th April 2018, they will be based in the Inn of Court Library at the Royal Courts of Justice on Chichester Street for up to four days.
President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, said:
‘I am delighted that the Supreme Court will be sitting in Belfast. As the final court of appeal for the United Kingdom, we hear cases of profound importance to everyone in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. My colleagues and I strongly believe that the experience of watching a case in person should not be limited to those within easy reach of London. This is the second time that the Court has sat outside London and doing so is becoming an established feature of the Court's calendar.’
Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, said:
‘I am very much looking forward to welcoming the Supreme Court to Belfast. I regard it as extremely significant that the Court is now sitting outside London and I am pleased that Belfast has been chosen as one of the earliest locations to feature in the Court's calendar. I believe it is important for people in this jurisdiction to have the opportunity to see the work of the Court at first hand, which can only help to enhance public confidence in the administration of justice.’
Cases to be heard will include the latest chapter of the ‘gay cake’ saga, on appeal from Lee v. McArthur [2016] NICA 39, with the Supreme Court to consider whether the Appellants (Ashers Bakery) directly discriminated against a customer (the Respondent) on the grounds of his sexual orientation and/or religious and political belief by refusing to make a cake with the slogan ‘Support Gay Marriage’ and whether the equality legislation and regulations are in conflict with the European Convention on Human Rights.
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