LORD DOHERTY TO SPEAK ABOUT HIS EARLY EXPERIENCES WITH THE UK SUPREME COURT

Lord Doherty, Justice of the UK Supreme Court, will provide a unique insight about his work on the bench when he gives a speech at the Faculty on Tuesday evening.

He will deliver the biennial Lord Rodger Memorial Lecture during the Court’s first visit to Glasgow.

Lord Doherty, one of two Scottish judges serving on the Supreme Court, will deliver a landmark speech, ‘A View from the Thames’, to members of the legal community from Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

Ahead of the event Lord Doherty said:

“In the week during which the Supreme Court sits in Glasgow, it seems appropriate to speak about my early impressions as a Justice, describing what we do, and comparing some things with my previous experience in Scotland."

The lecture series is held in memory of Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, who had been due to lead a seminar at the Faculty prior to his untimely passing in 2011. In tribute to his legacy and enduring contribution to the law, the Royal Faculty established a biennial lecture in his honour.

Lord Rodger was one of the original 12 members of the UK Supreme Court on its inception in 2009.

John Bett, Dean of the RFPG, said:

“The Lord Rodger Memorial Lecture is always a keenly anticipated event, but this year’s lecture will be a little more special as we welcome Lord Doherty, one of two Scottish judges on the UK Supreme Court.

“His insight about the inner workings of the Supreme Court will be key for many lawyers in how they approach future cases and advise clients on complicated areas of law.”

The UK Supreme Court will be based in Glasgow’s City Chambers on George Square and hear several cases, including one about iconic restaurant Rogano, during the visit between May 18 and 21.

John McKenzie, Chief Executive of the RFPG, added:

“The lecture series is held in memory of Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, a distinguished jurist, friend, contributor, and honorary member of the Royal Faculty.

“It is a fitting tribute to his memory that Lord Doherty, one of the most prominent legal minds in UK law, has agreed to give this year’s lecture.”

Lord Doherty sat as a judge of the Inner House of the Court of Session in Edinburgh from 2020 until his swearing in as a Justice of the Supreme Court earlier this year.

The Supreme Court is led by President Lord Reed, who will be joined by four other Justices in Glasgow, including Lord Doherty.

Lord Reed, who studied Law at Edinburgh University, has led efforts to make the Court more accessible to the public.

Members of the public will be able to visit the Court when it sits in Glasgow to watch the appeals being heard. In addition, cases and judgment hand-downs can be watched live on the Court’s website.