Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 July 2026

Correspondence from Vicky Fox, Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Supreme Court, dated 14 July 2026: Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26

From: Justice Committee

Summary

This is the UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council's Annual Report and Accounts for 2025–26, laid before Parliament. The Court issued 110 judgments while handling 192 UK Supreme Court and 82 Judicial Committee permission to appeal applications. The report highlights expanded digital services, doubled online educational engagement with students, a 28.4% increase in visitor numbers to 84,902, and strengthened international judicial relationships alongside 62 parliamentary visits.

Key findings

  • The Court delivered 110 judgments covering diverse areas including gender recognition in equality law, national security citizenship deprivation, public camping rights on Dartmoor, and the LIBOR interest rate manipulation convictions quashing.
  • Digital transformation completed: new websites with real-time case updates and an online case management portal now operate globally outside UK business hours, delivering award-winning change programme results.
  • Educational outreach doubled Ask a Justice sessions with school students; welcomed 84,902 visitors (28.4% increase) including 8,995 students participating in 593 tours.
  • 11 visiting judges from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland sat on cases, while new judges appointed: Lord Doherty joined as Justice and Lord Sales became Deputy President; Lord Reed retiring January 2027.
  • Court published new business plan prioritising world-class service delivery, serving the public, and outward engagement, with spending review confirmation for 2026–29.

Tone

Factual

Topics

judicial-administrationpublic-accessdigital-transformationjudicial-diversityinternational-engagement

Key actors

Vicky Fox, The Lord Reed of Allermuir, Lord Hodge, Lord Doherty, Lord Sales, Andy Slaughter MP, UK Supreme Court, Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

Notable line

We are a world leading Court, delivering the highest quality judgments, known for our transparency and accessibility, and a user centred approach.

Key Quotes

The core business of the Court is hearing appeals and handing down judgments. In the report you can read about some of the most significant decisions that have an impact on UK society and beyond.
The Lord Reed of Allermuir · Describing the Court's core purpose and institutional importance
Decisions such as these have a significant impact on our society.
The Lord Reed of Allermuir · Summarising the broad societal reach of Supreme Court judgments on issues from equality to environmental law
This is the last annual report which will be issued while I am President, as I will be retiring in January
The Lord Reed of Allermuir · Announcing his retirement after leading the Court since 2020
The successful conclusion of the Change Programme in March 2025 has meant that we are better able to serve the public and provide a world class service.
Vicky Fox · Describing the completion of the digital transformation initiative
We enjoyed welcoming many more visitors to the Court this year: a 28.4% increase in the number of visitors to 84,902, including 593 tours.
Vicky Fox · Reporting increased public engagement and access to the Court
We have updated our vision and sharpened our focus on three priorities: providing a world class service, serving the public and engaging outwards.
Vicky Fox · Outlining the Court's new strategic priorities following the spending review
View original document →

Source · parliament.uk record ↗

Correspondence from Vicky Fox, Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Supreme Court, dated 14 July 2026: Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26 | Beyond The Vote | Beyond The Vote