Indyref2 arguments to be heard at Supreme Court

The UK’s highest court – the Supreme Court – will hear arguments on whether Holyrood can set up a Scottish independence referendum without needing Westminster to agree. 

Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold the vote on 19 October 2023 but the UK government opposes it. 

Both the UK and the Scottish governments will make their cases before a panel of five judges at the court in London over two days. The outcome is expected to take weeks or months. 

The UK will argue the constitution is reserved to Westminster and it is therefore a matter beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament. 

But the Scottish government will argue the referendum is “advisory” and would have no legal effect on the union.