Competitions launched for two Justices of the UK Supreme Court

The Independent selection commission has launched two competitions to appoint two new Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom - one from Northern Ireland and one from England and Wales.

The UK Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) hear a wide range of very complex and high-profile legal appeals, which can have a considerable impact across the United Kingdom and beyond. All those appointed to the Court need to be people of truly exceptional intellectual and legal ability, with sound judgment and decisiveness. 

The selection commission welcomes applications from the widest range of people eligible to apply. The Supreme Court is required by statute to have judges with a knowledge of, and experience of practice in, the law of each part of the United Kingdom. For this recruitment, the selection commission is looking for one candidate with knowledge of, and experience of practice in, the law of England & Wales, and one candidate with knowledge of, and experience of practice in, the law of Northern Ireland.

In this video, Lord Reed explains what the role of a Justice entails:

In addition to the Court’s legal work, Justices also participate in a wide range of activities which promote understanding of the Court and help to engage members of the public in educational activities. This ranges from judging Moots and answering questions from school pupils to the delivery of public speeches and addresses on various topics of the law.

Further information about the skills and experience required for the role, and how to apply, can be found in the information packs here. The closing date for applications is 9am on the 19th October 2026. 

More details about the process of appointing Justices to the Court, and the career paths of some of those appointed, can be found here. 