03/2019 - News release
UK Supreme Court celebrates 'turning 10' in style with a commemorative activity-packed Open Day
9 October 2019
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom celebrates its tenth anniversary this October. To mark the occasion the Court will hold a special, free Open Day on Wednesday 16 October 2019, 9.30am to 3.30pm.
The Supreme Court has featured regularly in the news in recent months, and this is a unique opportunity for members of the public to come and explore the UK's highest court in person, learn about what goes on behind the scenes, how the Justices make their decisions and how the organisation has evolved over the last decade. The day won't all be about the law (fascinating though that is) - there will be plenty on offer for those who are interested the building's architecture and artwork too.
On 16 October, the Supreme Court's Grade II* listed building will be open to the public, and visitors will be able to explore the three beautiful courtrooms. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to visit rarely seen parts of the building such as the magnificent library, which is not normally open to the public. As this is a special occasion, there will also be a host of free additional activities on offer too including:
- A free talk by celebrated photographer, Paul Stuart. Paul was recently commissioned by the Supreme Court Arts Trust to photograph the three Presidents of the Supreme Court. During the talk he will give an insight into his work and how he went about photographing the UK's most senior judges and other famous figures.
- This event is free but must be pre-booked via Eventbrite.
- Elsie Owusu OBE was one of the architects who in 2009 helped to transform what was previously the Middlesex Guildhall into a home for the UK's new highest court. Elsie will lead a talk in which she will shed light on how the Court's home was created.
- The launch of 'Legal Landmarks.' This is a series of films about ten landmark cases in English legal history (presented by Dr David Yuratich and Katie Broomfield) that have been heard by the former appellate committee in the House of Lords and more recently in the UK Supreme Court. With cases dating back as far as 1604, the films explore the impact that these decisions have had on the lives of ordinary people. The films have been produced by Royal Holloway, University of London, as part of its National Lottery Heritage Fund Citizens Project, were researched and written by Katie Broomfield and have been kindly gifted to the Supreme Court.
- The Chief Executive of the Supreme Court, Mark Ormerod, will lead a talk about the Court. He and other members of staff will not able to discuss specific judgments but will be on-hand throughout the day to answer questions about the work of the UK's highest court.
- The Supreme Court has also invited several local secondary schools to visit the Supreme Court. These students will have the opportunity to take part in a live 'Ask a Justice' session with a Supreme Court Justice and attend a workshop about the Court's work, led by Dr David Yuratich, a Lecturer in Law from Royal Holloway, University of London. These are private events for the designated schools.
- The President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, will also be reading the soon-to-be published children's book 'Equal to Everything: Judge Brenda and the Supreme Court' to children from a local primary school. This will be a private event, but the school's choir will then perform for visitors in the library, and all are welcome to come and watch.
- How much do you know about the work of the UK's highest court? Test your knowledge in our 'Supreme Court at Ten' commemorative quiz.
- Visitors to the building are invited to tag the Court on Twitter (@UKSupremeCourt) and Instagram (@uksupremecourt) using the hash-tag #HappyBirthdayUKSupremeCourt
UKSC contacts:
Janet Coull Trisic - Acting Head of Communications
020 7960 1887
Rebecca Lowson - Media and Communications Manager
020 7960 1894