UK's Highest court to sit in Northern Ireland for the first time

By David Hunter

The Supreme Court is due to sit in Northern Ireland for the first time next year.

As the UK's highest court - it will hear two appeals here, including so called "gay cake" case.

Asher's Bakery is challenging findings that refusing to make a cake with a Pro-Gay marriage slogan was discriminatory.

The second case is over a controversial policy on allowances for widowed parents.

Five of the court's 12 judges will travel to Belfast, also marking the first time that proceedings here will be live streamed online. 

Announcing the visit today, Lady Hale said: "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.
 
“Whilst in Belfast we shall hear two significant appeals from the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland. This will be a fantastic opportunity for local people to see theCourt in action on their doorstep.
 
“The Supreme Court is committed to being one of the most open and accessible in the world and, like all our hearings, our Belfast cases will be live streamed via our website for everyone who cannot get to see us in person.”

The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan, said: “I am very much looking forward to welcoming the Supreme Court to Belfast in April. 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 theCourt’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.”