Supreme Court confirms Scottish sitting dates

The court will sit as a panel of five judges, with Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court presiding. It will hear three cases over the four day period:

Monday 12 June, 11am – 4pm

Sadovska and another v Secretary of State for the Home Department

This appeal relates to the evidential burden on the state when disrupting “sham marriages”.

Tuesday 13 June, 10.30am – 4pm

Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority v Elsick Development Company Limited

This appeal relates to the correct legal test to be applied when assessing planning obligations, and the extent to which planning authorities are bound to comply with national planning policy.

Wednesday 14 June, 10.30am – 4pm and Thursday 15 June, 10.30am – 1pm (1.5 day hearing)

Brown v The Scottish Ministers

This appeal relates to the obligation on the state to assist the rehabilitation of determinate sentence prisoners. The Lord President, Lord Carloway will sit on the panel to hear this appeal.

On Thursday afternoon a number of the justices will be speaking at a professional development session at the invitation of the Law Society of Scotland.

As announced in March, the court will sit in the City Chambers, home of City of Edinburgh Council.

Arrangements are being made for approximately 120 seats for members of the public to attend and observe hearings on a first come first served basis. This is a larger capacity than the court’s main courtroom in London. Following its usual practice, the court will not be reserving seats or issuing tickets in advance.

The Supreme Court can also confirm that, in co-operation with the City of Edinburgh Council, its proceedings will be live streamed via the Supreme Court website in the usual way.

To avoid disappointment, those planning on travelling within Scotland or from further afield to observe proceedings who do not have a particular interest in the Sadovska case are encouraged to avoid the first day of hearings, 12 June, when demand for seats is expected to be at its highest.