The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon, has released a message on the return of in-person court hearings after the lockdown measures imposed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated the use of online video platforms for remote hearings. Lord Burnett stated that there will be a continuing role for those involved in the courts’ operation, including the enforcement of and adherence to social distancing guidelines, hygiene practices and the use of face coverings. It is expected that remote hearings will still be used to manage footfall, but Lord Burnett described the return to in-person hearings as ‘desirable’.

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution has published its ninth report on the fast-track enactment of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. On 12 April 2025, the government published the draft bill. It was quickly introduced in the House of Commons, passed through all its stages without amendment and received royal assent following an emergency recall of Parliament. The Committee noted that the bill omits both a sunset clause and an alternative renewal procedure, with no explanation provided in the Explanatory Notes. During debate, government representatives stated that excluding a sunset clause was intended to minimise uncertainty and emphasise the temporary nature of the powers granted. Although the government committed to providing updates every four weeks and holding a full debate on the Act’s operation within six months, these measures were not formally documented, which may have implications for regulatory clarity and post-legislative oversight.

His Majesty King Charles III has approved the appointment of Lord Doherty as a Justice of the UK Supreme Court. The appointment was made on the advice of the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and the Lord Chancellor, David Lammy, following the recommendation of an independent selection commission. Lord Doherty is expected to be sworn in as a Justice in early 2026.

The House of Lords has announced that Lord Forsyth of Drumlean has been elected as the next Lord Speaker, succeeding Lord McFall of Alcluith, who will step down on 31 January 2026. Lord Forsyth will formally take up the role on 2 February 2026, following appointment by His Majesty King Charles III. Lord Forsyth, a former Secretary of State for Scotland, has been a member of the House of Lords since 1999 and has chaired several committees, including the Economic Affairs Committee. He is currently chair of the Financial Services Regulation Committee and the Association of Conservative Peers. He has served in government, including as a Minister of State at the Home Office.

The Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court, Lord Hodge, has given a lecture on the Rule of Law, the Courts and the British Economy, with a particular emphasis on the role of the courts in the legal profession, and the role that business people play in upholding the rule of law. In the paper, Lord Hodge asserts that the pre-eminence of English law in commerce is in part due to England’s economic history and the way in which common law has developed and that the interaction between the judiciary, the legal professions, the business community, the Government, and Parliament should continue to play a vital role in maintaining England’s reputation as an outstanding provider of international legal services. Lord Hodge has also considered the past, present and future of the commercial courts as well as what innovation is required to maintain its position.

The Deputy President of the Supreme Court has denied that the court has taken on too much power since its creation in 2009. Lord Hodge made his remarks in a lecture at Senedd Cymru on 10 October, one of a range of events marking the court’s 15th anniversary.

A senior judge who may deputise for the Lord President.

The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (CTJ) has announced that Lord Justice Cobb has been appointed President of the Family Division. The appointment was made on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor, following the recommendation of an independent selection panel chaired by Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, the Lady Chief Justice. The Lady Chief Justice stated that Lord Justice Cobb’s prior leadership roles, including chairing the Private Law Working Group, serving as Family Presiding Judge for the North Eastern Circuit and contributing to the His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Reform Programme, make him well suited to the position.

Lord Justice Colin Birss, Deputy Head of Civil Justice, has delivered a speech at the 21st International online dispute resolution forum. During his speech, Birss LJ referenced the Judicial Review and Court Act 2022, which sets up an Online Procedure Rules Committee (OPRC)—a ‘critical step for the Digital Justice System’. Birss LJ states that the OPRC will ensure governance takes full account of the digital system and can improve access to justice, transparency, efficiency in resolving disputes and strengthens the rule of law.

Lord Justice Hickinbottom retired from the Court of Appeal on 7 January 2021. Lord Hickinbottom was appointed Chief Pension Appeals Commissioner and the Designated Civil Judge for Wales in 2005, Deputy Senior President of Tribunals and first President of the Administrative Appeals Chamber in 2008, and a High Court Judge (Queen’s Bench) in 2009. From 2012–2016, he was the Queen’s Bench Liaison Judge (Administrative Court) for the Northern and North Eastern Circuits, and then for the Midland, Wales and Western Circuits, and, for the same period, the Senior Liaison Judge for Diversity. Finally, he was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal and made a Privy Counsellor in 2017.

Lord Justice Popplewell delivered a lecture on 20 November 2025 examining whether freezing injunctions (previously known as Mareva injunctions) require reform after 50 years. In his address, he cited practitioner concerns that these injunctions are granted too readily and operate unfairly on defendants.

The person appointed to this position is the judge of the Lyon Court, which has jurisdiction over heraldic matters.