Search begins following news of Lord Reed’s planned retirement next year

The search is on for the next President of the UK Supreme Court, after the country’s top judicial body launched a selection commission to find a successor to Lord Reed, who announced he will retire from the bench in January 2027.
The President is the most senior judge in the UK, presiding over both the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which between them hear some of the most important legal appeals in the country.
The commission says it’s looking for someone with outstanding legal ability, strong communication skills, and the experience to engage with politicians, public bodies and the wider public.
Lord Reed himself has recorded a video (see below) setting out what the role entails and the qualities the successful candidate will need to bring to it, presumably to help narrow the field to those who truly have what it takes to sit at the very top of the judicial pile.
Anyone who fancies their chances has until 17 April 2026 at 5pm to get their application in.