The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) has accepted an invitation from the Government of Bermuda to sit in the British Overseas Territory for a week of appeal hearings in 2027.
The visit will take place during the week of 19 to 23 April, with Justices hearing a range of appeals, as well as undertaking extra-judicial and educational work to highlight the role of the JCPC and its importance to Bermuda, and Britain’s other Overseas Territories.
The JCPC is the final court of appeal for the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies, and Military Sovereign Base Areas, as well as many Commonwealth countries.
The twelve Justices of the UK Supreme Court also sit as members of the JCPC. In recent years, senior judgesfrom the JCPC’s jurisdictions have been invited to take part in appeal hearings conducted in London.
Speaking as he accepted the invitation from Bermuda, the Supreme Court’s President and Chairman of the JCPC Lord Reed said: “I am delighted that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council will be sitting in Bermuda. The JCPC exists to serve the people of the jurisdictions which use it as their final court of appeal, including the people of Bermuda.
The invitation to sit in Hamilton was extended by the Government of Bermuda. Speaking as the news of the visit was publicly announced, His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Andrew Murdoch CMG, CVO, said: “The very welcome visit by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to Bermuda provides an ideal opportunity to recognise the importance of a strong and independent judiciary within this jurisdiction.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Bermuda, the Hon. Mr Justice Larry Mussenden added: “It is a distinguished honour for Bermuda to welcome the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for an in‑person sitting to hear Bermuda appeals.
“For many decades, the Privy Council has served as Bermuda’s final appellate court, contributing profoundly to the development of our jurisprudence and reinforcing the rule of law that underpins both our community and our international business environment.
“The forthcoming sitting, together with the Privy Council’s planned community engagement, will allow Bermudians and residents to gain a deeper appreciation of the Court’s work and its constitutional significance. This visit marks an important moment in Bermuda’s legal history and reflects the enduring strength of our relationship with the Privy Council.”
Reflecting on the opportunity for Bermudians to see the JCPC up close, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Senator the Hon. Kim Wilkerson JP, said: “That the Privy Council will now sit on Bermudian soil brings justice closer to the people it serves and opens its workings to those who seldom see them, is a welcome development.
The JCPC has been the final court of appeal for Bermuda since the body’s establishment in 1833. More information about the historic role and current jurisdiction of the JCPC may be found here.
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