Supreme Court annual report highlights global standing

An increase in engagement work both domestically and internationally, and the international standing of the UK judiciary, are among the matters highlighted in the newly published 2022-23 annual report and accounts for the UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

During the year the court delivered judgments of the Supreme Court and 60 of the Judicial Committee. These included the Scottish referendum reference, prioritised because of the constitutional importance of the case, and with judgment delivered within six weeks of the hearing. The court also said it has improved its efficiency in the processing of permission to appeal applications, hearings and judgments. 

In his foreword, Lord Reed of Allermuir, President of the court, highlights these matters and also the very high levels of international confidence in the UK judiciary, which is reflected in the volume of international disputes that the court dealt with over the year. The court's work helps to enhance the reputation of the UK as a global legal centre.

The Justices engaged with 35 countries over the year in either inward or outward meetings, signalling the strength of the UK's legal and judicial work on the international stage. The court also welcomed over 52,000 in-person visitors, the websites were viewed 1.6m times, and more than 470,000 people watched UKSC or JCPC cases online, either live or on demand.

A sitting in Manchester was the first time the court has sat outside of a capital of the four home nations. There the Justices undertook extensive engagement with local lawyers, students and elected representatives, and 250 people came to watch the court proceedings. The court also welcomed 280 school and university groups, totalling over 5,000 students, to its London building.

The JCPC sat in the Cayman Islands at the request of the Government there.

In financial terms, the court's net operating expenditure decreased to £5,029,000 (from £6,218,000 in 2021-22). 

Access the full report and accounts at this link.