Jasper Gold
@jaspergold.bsky.social
Barrister @1CrownOfficeRow – a bit of this a bit of that - medical, inquests, inquiries, data/info/privacy and public law. Comissioning Editor of the UK Human Rights Blog (@ukhumanrightsblog.bsky.social). Drinking myself to oblivion but with coffee.
Reposted by Jasper Gold
This is an appalling judgment to read. Two Chief Constables found in contempt of court for misleading the court about the existence of video footage. But this was only discovered when the matter made it to the Court of Appeal. Incredible perseverance.
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
Judges set to decide fate of police chief constable guilty of contempt of court
Exclusive: Ivan Balhatchet, Northamptonshire’s chief constable, could face up to two years in jail or a fine for repeated failure to obey rulings
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This is an appalling judgment to read. Two Chief Constables found in contempt of court for misleading the court about the existence of video footage. But this was only discovered when the matter made it to the Court of Appeal. Incredible perseverance.
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
Reposted by Jasper Gold
If we want to rebuild the defences against authoritarianism (as we should) we'd be better off using the instruments we already have.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
October 23, 2025 at 10:42 PM
If we want to rebuild the defences against authoritarianism (as we should) we'd be better off using the instruments we already have.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
Dismantling Henry VIII powers, getting dirty money out of elections, even changing the electoral system could all be done more easily than writing a new constitution.
Reposted by Jasper Gold
This Bill had 8 sponsors: Chris Philp (Shadow Home Secretary), Matt Vickers (shadow home affairs team) as well as Katie Lam (opposition assistant whip) and 5 backbenchers, class of 2024
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
October 22, 2025 at 11:32 PM
This Bill had 8 sponsors: Chris Philp (Shadow Home Secretary), Matt Vickers (shadow home affairs team) as well as Katie Lam (opposition assistant whip) and 5 backbenchers, class of 2024
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
A civil remedy for wrongful arrest is all well and good but how many people were prevented from protesting by the chilling effect this sort of arrest has?
I had told you the police were wrong in this case.
I said it did NOT PROVE that the government had banned legitimate protest about Gaza, as many claimed.
It was the police over stepping. And now they have had to apologise and pay damages.
Legal protest IS allowed. Supporting banned groups is not.
I said it did NOT PROVE that the government had banned legitimate protest about Gaza, as many claimed.
It was the police over stepping. And now they have had to apologise and pay damages.
Legal protest IS allowed. Supporting banned groups is not.
Kent police apologise to protester threatened with arrest for holding Palestine flag
Force agrees to pay damages to Laura Murton, 43, who also had sign saying ‘Israel is committing genocide’
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A civil remedy for wrongful arrest is all well and good but how many people were prevented from protesting by the chilling effect this sort of arrest has?
Quite apart from being banally evil, this is monumentally stupid from Jenrick. England & Wales courts have a deserved global reputation for fairness and expertise which makes them a genuine national asset. Politicising the judiciary in this way will end badly on so many levels.
We've already seen judges and lawyers being targeted as "enemies of the people". This increases risk of threats/attacks, while undermining judiciary as a whole. Couple it with Tory plans to scrap immigration tribunals and legal aid for people seeking asylum and it shows utter contempt for the law.
October 7, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Quite apart from being banally evil, this is monumentally stupid from Jenrick. England & Wales courts have a deserved global reputation for fairness and expertise which makes them a genuine national asset. Politicising the judiciary in this way will end badly on so many levels.
Great to have @lewisgrahamlaw.bsky.social's take on Hora v UK, the latest instalment in the UK's ongoing saga over prisoner voting, on the UKRHB.
Hora v the United Kingdom: Strasbourg’s New Ruling on UK’s Prisoner Voting Ban - UK Human Rights Blog
By Lewis Graham In 2005, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights handed down its landmark decision in Hirst v the United Kingdom, finding that the effect of section 3 of the Representa...
ukhumanrightsblog.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Great to have @lewisgrahamlaw.bsky.social's take on Hora v UK, the latest instalment in the UK's ongoing saga over prisoner voting, on the UKRHB.
Reposted by Jasper Gold
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled, 20 years after the landmark Hirst case, that an applicant prisoner's inability to vote in a UK General Election did not breach the Convention.
Hora v United Kingdom (23 September 2025): hudoc.echr.coe.int?i=001-244851
Some quick thoughts from me:
1/7
Hora v United Kingdom (23 September 2025): hudoc.echr.coe.int?i=001-244851
Some quick thoughts from me:
1/7
HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights
The HUDOC database provides access to the case-law of the Court (Grand Chamber, Chamber and Committee judgments and decisions, communicated cases, advisory opinions and legal summaries from the Case-L...
hudoc.echr.coe.int
September 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled, 20 years after the landmark Hirst case, that an applicant prisoner's inability to vote in a UK General Election did not breach the Convention.
Hora v United Kingdom (23 September 2025): hudoc.echr.coe.int?i=001-244851
Some quick thoughts from me:
1/7
Hora v United Kingdom (23 September 2025): hudoc.echr.coe.int?i=001-244851
Some quick thoughts from me:
1/7
Reposted by Jasper Gold
Reupping this story as I think it raises an important question:
If the police can stop a protest/action by saying it's "at risk" of breaching traffic laws - there is not a single protest in the country that could not be shut down.
A major free speech issue at stake here.
If the police can stop a protest/action by saying it's "at risk" of breaching traffic laws - there is not a single protest in the country that could not be shut down.
A major free speech issue at stake here.
🔴Trump Protest Van Highlighting Epstein Links Was Blocked by Police Within Minutes of Approaching Windsor Castle
Officers drove away the van showing an image of the US President with the convicted paedophile as nearby activists and journalists were questioned
bylinetimes.com/2025/09/17/t...
Officers drove away the van showing an image of the US President with the convicted paedophile as nearby activists and journalists were questioned
bylinetimes.com/2025/09/17/t...
Trump Protest Van Highlighting Epstein Links Was Blocked by Police Within Minutes of Approaching Windsor Castle
Officers drove away the advertising van showing an image of the US President with the convicted paedophile as nearby activists and journalists were questioned
bylinetimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reupping this story as I think it raises an important question:
If the police can stop a protest/action by saying it's "at risk" of breaching traffic laws - there is not a single protest in the country that could not be shut down.
A major free speech issue at stake here.
If the police can stop a protest/action by saying it's "at risk" of breaching traffic laws - there is not a single protest in the country that could not be shut down.
A major free speech issue at stake here.
Reposted by Jasper Gold
British NIMBYism is truly a sight to behold.
“We are rejecting this solar farm, because one time I saw an electric vehicle on fire, which reminded me that decades ago a coal mining disaster killed lots of children”.
“We are rejecting this solar farm, because one time I saw an electric vehicle on fire, which reminded me that decades ago a coal mining disaster killed lots of children”.
September 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM
British NIMBYism is truly a sight to behold.
“We are rejecting this solar farm, because one time I saw an electric vehicle on fire, which reminded me that decades ago a coal mining disaster killed lots of children”.
“We are rejecting this solar farm, because one time I saw an electric vehicle on fire, which reminded me that decades ago a coal mining disaster killed lots of children”.
Court made absolutely clear that this was neither a comment on the merits of government policy nor a matter of ECHR law. It's been said so often it is now priced in but it bears repeating: Farage has no desire to base his politics on what is truth. A straight up, obvious, bullshitting liar.
August 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Court made absolutely clear that this was neither a comment on the merits of government policy nor a matter of ECHR law. It's been said so often it is now priced in but it bears repeating: Farage has no desire to base his politics on what is truth. A straight up, obvious, bullshitting liar.
A brief update on the UK Human Rights Blog about the Court of Appeal's decision to overturn the injunction preventing the Bell Hotel from being used to house asylum seekers (and some comment on why it is a good decision!)
Court of Appeal Overturns Epping Asylum Hotel Injunction - UK Human Rights Blog
In a recent post, we covered the High Court’s headline-making decision in Epping Forest District Council v Somani Hotels Limited [2025] EWHC 2183 (KB) to grant an injunction preventing the Bell Hotel ...
ukhumanrightsblog.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:23 PM
A brief update on the UK Human Rights Blog about the Court of Appeal's decision to overturn the injunction preventing the Bell Hotel from being used to house asylum seekers (and some comment on why it is a good decision!)
Reposted by Jasper Gold
Informed consent and the temptations of hindsight by Jasper Gold.
Read the full article here: 1corqmlr.com/2025/08/07/i...
#QMLR @jaspergold.bsky.social
Read the full article here: 1corqmlr.com/2025/08/07/i...
#QMLR @jaspergold.bsky.social
August 7, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Informed consent and the temptations of hindsight by Jasper Gold.
Read the full article here: 1corqmlr.com/2025/08/07/i...
#QMLR @jaspergold.bsky.social
Read the full article here: 1corqmlr.com/2025/08/07/i...
#QMLR @jaspergold.bsky.social
When systems lead to immense injustice, the rule of law is only one virtue. From suffragettes to anti-apartheid groups, property damage has been a part of movements that have lead to the recognition of rights now integral to the protection offered by the rule of law. Maybe they were all terrorists.
However, those who argue that they will simply ignore the law are in danger of behaving in exactly the same way as the Trump supporters that they abhor. Respecting the rule of law doesn’t just mean obeying laws you like./10
August 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM
When systems lead to immense injustice, the rule of law is only one virtue. From suffragettes to anti-apartheid groups, property damage has been a part of movements that have lead to the recognition of rights now integral to the protection offered by the rule of law. Maybe they were all terrorists.
An unusual and thorough example of nearly every aspect of a Coroner's decision being overturned.
Coronial investigation of the Police after suicide - Coroner's decisions on Article 2 and jury overturned - UK Human Rights Blog
R (Ferguson) v HM Assistant Coroner for Sefton, Knowlsey and St Helens [2025] EWHC 1901 (Admin) concerned a challenge by the next of kin of Joseph Farley, who died after jumping from the fourteenth fl...
ukhumanrightsblog.com
July 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
An unusual and thorough example of nearly every aspect of a Coroner's decision being overturned.
It is so rare that the costs regime attracts any attention but when it does it’s usually because it’s doing *exactly* what it is meant to.
"pwease we are but a smol bean of a local charity" okay then don't run up huge legal bills with vexations suits against other people's livelihoods then? fuck off
June 16, 2025 at 8:24 PM
It is so rare that the costs regime attracts any attention but when it does it’s usually because it’s doing *exactly* what it is meant to.
Reposted by Jasper Gold
New: Labour have announced a big push on planning reform slashing green paperwork, cutting down on excessive consultation, and making it easier to build near train stations.
In short, this is what going for growth looks like. Here’s the key changes and why they matter. 🧵
In short, this is what going for growth looks like. Here’s the key changes and why they matter. 🧵
January 26, 2025 at 11:44 AM
New: Labour have announced a big push on planning reform slashing green paperwork, cutting down on excessive consultation, and making it easier to build near train stations.
In short, this is what going for growth looks like. Here’s the key changes and why they matter. 🧵
In short, this is what going for growth looks like. Here’s the key changes and why they matter. 🧵
Mark Littlewood defending Liz Truss's decision to threaten libel action against Starmer, and being twisted into suggesting defintions for 'crasbing the econony' which he thinks the courts should police is very funny. I didn't think that part of the party wanted judges determining political issues.
January 9, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Mark Littlewood defending Liz Truss's decision to threaten libel action against Starmer, and being twisted into suggesting defintions for 'crasbing the econony' which he thinks the courts should police is very funny. I didn't think that part of the party wanted judges determining political issues.
I don't know what prospects there ever were of the pleas of ignorance or mistake being successful, but it should send a strong message that they weren't.
All of the defendants in the Pelicot case have been convicted; the organiser of the abuse Dominique Pelicot will be imprisoned for 20 years. www.thelocal.fr/20241219/bre...
Breaking: Court convicts all defendants in French mass rape trial, husband jailed for 20 years
A court on Thursday convicted a French man of aggravated rape for committing and orchestrating the mass rape of his now former wife Gisèle Pelicot - the 50 men who he recruited online to come to their...
www.thelocal.fr
December 19, 2024 at 10:10 AM
I don't know what prospects there ever were of the pleas of ignorance or mistake being successful, but it should send a strong message that they weren't.
Interesting case, but not surprising. When there's only one lawful option, it clearly ought to be taken.
‘A proper application of legal principle’: Mandatory orders to hold inquiries into Troubles-related atrocities administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2024/12/18/a...
‘A proper application of legal principle’: Mandatory orders to hold inquiries into Troubles-related atrocities
It is “highly unusual; indeed, truly exceptional” for a judicial review court to grant a mandatory order compelling a public authority to hold a public inquiry – so said Scoffield J in Re Finucane’…
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com
December 18, 2024 at 6:31 PM
Interesting case, but not surprising. When there's only one lawful option, it clearly ought to be taken.
Fascinating article on the nature of the political trade offs and unspoken prioritisations we make when we data-ify the things we think about, and how it affects the resulting thought itself.
Wise words from C. Thi Nguyen for a world chasing measurements. issues.org/limits-of-da...
The Limits of Data
Policymakers want to make decisions based on clear data, but important factors are lost when we rely solely on data. A philosopher writes:
issues.org
December 13, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Fascinating article on the nature of the political trade offs and unspoken prioritisations we make when we data-ify the things we think about, and how it affects the resulting thought itself.
Great to see a book at last on such a fascinating, global and bizarre part of the legal world.
And if you are interested in the topic, we have a new book out in the new year
www.bloomsbury.com/au/pseudolaw...
www.bloomsbury.com/au/pseudolaw...
Pseudolaw and Sovereign Citizens
Can you avoid any law you do not consent to? Can you avoid paying taxes by declaring yourself sovereign? Do courts operate under admiralty or maritime law? No.…
www.bloomsbury.com
December 13, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Great to see a book at last on such a fascinating, global and bizarre part of the legal world.
Whenever I am tempted to do philosophy I remember I would probably be a Basically Pleasant Poet in this taxonomy.
Thinking about @lastpositivist.bsky.social's division of philosophy into Basically Pleasant Bureaucrats vs Sexy Murder Poets and how I don't fit comfortably into either category. I'm more of a Sexy Murder Bureaucrat.
December 10, 2024 at 1:49 PM
Whenever I am tempted to do philosophy I remember I would probably be a Basically Pleasant Poet in this taxonomy.
Damascus Station was lots of fun. Glad it was also the primer on Syrian politics I didn't know I needed.
(I asked our very erudite literary editor Fred Studemann for a “if you only read one..” and happily he said the spy novel Damascus Station by David McClosky so that’s your top insider tip)
December 10, 2024 at 11:39 AM
Damascus Station was lots of fun. Glad it was also the primer on Syrian politics I didn't know I needed.
Incredible. This is still up on Amazon. Strong case for going to your local bookshop.
I'm not saying that AI-written books are becoming a problem on Amazon, but here is the first page of a new book on the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege.
December 10, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Incredible. This is still up on Amazon. Strong case for going to your local bookshop.
Top 0.005!? I don't think I've ever been in the top 0.005% of anything before.
December 4, 2024 at 2:33 PM
Top 0.005!? I don't think I've ever been in the top 0.005% of anything before.