The SNP’s Supreme Court application on the independence referendum

On 28 June 2022, Scotland’s Lord Advocate submitted a reference to the Supreme Court, seeking a determination on the legislative competence of the question proposed in the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill.

The case will be heard in the Supreme Court on 11-12 October 2022.

The SNP has submitted an application to intervene in the Lord Advocate’s reference on an independence referendum.

Click the button below to read the SNP’s full Supreme Court application text.

The SNP Business Convener, Kirsten Oswald MP, said:

“The SNP’s application is now with the Supreme Court.

It is intended to support and complement the arguments for the Bill being within the Scottish Parliament’s competence that are set out in the Lord Advocate’s written case.

The SNP’s application focuses on the inalienable right of all nations to self-determination which is enshrined in the United Nations charter and argues that the Scotland Act should be interpreted in a way that upholds rather than denies that right.

The Bill raises a fundamental issue of democracy – in line with the principle of self-determination, Scotland’s future must be decided by those who live here, not dictated by Westminster politicians.

It is now for the Supreme Court to determine whether our application to intervene should be granted.”