Scottish Court of Session Revamps Registration Appeal Court for 2025

In a recent move, the Court of Session has instituted changes to the Registration Appeal Court, as outlined in the newly minted Act of Sederunt (Registration Appeal Court) 2025. This legislative adjustment, made on May 6, 2025, and set to come into effect on June 9, 2025, brings notable updates to the judicial landscape under the powers conferred by section 57(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Under this new Act, the Registration Appeal Court, which is responsible for hearing appeals concerning electoral registration issues, will now comprise three distinguished judges: the Right Honourable Lord Doherty, the Right Honourable Lady Paton, and the Honourable Lord Harrower. This trio will replace the previous formation established by the Act of Sederunt in 2021, which has been revoked with this latest update.

This change aims to streamline the appeals process under section 57(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, ensuring that electoral registration appeals are handled efficiently and with expert legal oversight.

The Act of Sederunt (Registration Appeal Court) 2025 underscores the ongoing commitment to maintaining a robust and responsive legal framework for electoral matters in Scotland, reinforcing the integrity of the electoral process. As the new court formation prepares to take up its duties, the Scottish legal community and the public can anticipate a continuation of fair and effective judicial oversight in electoral registration appeals.