Judicial Vacancies: President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Judicial vacancy for President of the UKSC

As a result of the retirement of Lord Reed in January 2027, applications are sought for the appointment of a President of the UK Supreme Court.

The UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council hear a wide range of very complex and high-profile legal appeals, which can have a considerable impact across the United Kingdom and beyond.

The President of the Court occupies the most senior UK judicial position, with responsibility for the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and has a national and international public profile. The role requires not only outstanding judicial skills but a leader of the highest calibre. The President has a range of statutory functions and responsibilities and is expected to lead on external relationships, nationally and internationally, including relations with governments, Parliament, other courts, and the media. The President must also foster collegiality amongst the Justices and a collaborative working culture within the administration.

The UK Supreme Court’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is deeply rooted in its values. We recognise that diversity brings richness to the judiciary and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Please contact Grainne Hawkins (grainne.hawkins@supremecourt.uk) for further details on the selection process and/or an application form.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 17 April 2026.

Key documents

Information pack for appointment for President of the Supreme Court

Further information which may be of interest to applicants

Statutory selection process

The President is selected in accordance with the provisions of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, as amended ("the Act"). The Act requires the Lord Chancellor to convene a selection commission, the membership of which is prescribed in the statute and in the Supreme Court (Judicial Appointments) Regulations 2013. There is a full description of the process here: Appointment of Justices - The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

This selection commission will comprise:

Mr Colm Donaghy (Chair)	Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission
Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill	Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales
Lord Lloyd-Jones	Justice of the UK Supreme Court
Dr Uchechi Igbokwe	Judicial Appointments Commission, England and Wales
Mr Lindsay Montgomery	Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland

Applicants that are not serving Justices will need to fulfil the statutory eligibility requirements and additional criteria for appointment, found in Annexe B of the information pack.

Watch

In this short video, Lord Reed discusses the role of President of the Supreme Court.

Videos have also been released where current and former Justices talk on themes such as: the qualities of a Justice; tips for Justices; and diversity in the judicial profession. You can watch these videos below.