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monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Monidipa Fouzder
@monidipafouzder.bsky.social
250 followers 80 following 41 posts
Reporter, Law Society Gazette
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monidipafouzder.bsky.social
I attended a Windrush Justice Scandal Symposium at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham, north London, on Saturday. My blog on the symposium later this week. In the meantime, here's what the Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster MBE, said on the day:

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/windrus...
Windrush commissioner to probe legal support
Reverend Clive Foster says he is in a 'hurry for justice' for victims without immigration status or compensation.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 6:15 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Must-read for journalists - not just reporters, editors too.
lewisgoodall.com Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 3d
Have written about a week where the hypocrisy of much of the media was laid bare (and address mine).

I also write about the truth Starmer cannot say: he appointed Mandelson to the court of Trump not in spite of the Epstein connection but in a sense, because of it. open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
What Starmer cannot say
The hypocrisy, in so many directions, the Epstein files reveal of the Westminster and the media class
open.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:33 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Early analysis from me on the final instalment of an important government-commissioned review, published this week, on how to pull the criminal justice system from the brink of collapse (and no, that's not an exaggeration):
edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader...
Law Society Gazette
Law Society Gazette - 06/02/2026
edition.pagesuite.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:33 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Love this article for 2 reasons:

1. I agree 100% agree with Clare Binns. I've long felt film running times have gotten out of control.

2. The photo of Bromley Picturehouse, which sadly closed in 2024. What a beautiful building.
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ja...
Make films shorter if you want them shown in cinemas, says Picturehouse director
Clare Binns says three-hour runtimes deter audiences as she is named Bafta recipient for outstanding British contribution to cinema
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:21 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Make my week by helping me get the rare species known as a positive news story into the Law Society Gazette's "most read" list:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/trainee...
Trainee learns sign language to make legal services accessible
Elysia Shirley pledged to support deaf community after witnessing someone struggle to communicate with emergency services.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 6:34 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Legal aid: vital public service.

Legal aid pay: so bad that a mental health lawyer who has supported several BAME women to pursue a legal career has had to return to Ghana because her salary wasn't high enough to stay in the UK as a 'skilled worker'.

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/legal-a...
Legal aid solicitor forced to leave UK due to salary threshold
Hilda Kwoffie's salary as a legal aid solicitor specialising in mental health work failed to meet £41,700-a-year visa threshold.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
"I hope today will bring a moment of truth, optimism and clarity, not led by institutions but by people who have endured the greatest harm" - Baroness Floella Benjamin at the launch of the Windush Justice Inquiry Report.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/i...
In depth: Fight for Windrush justice goes on
Victims of the Windrush immigration scandal and campaigners fighting to secure justice on their behalf gathered in the House of Lords last week.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
BBC: We're not obsessed with Reform.

BBC: Let's do a piece on what a Reform government would look like.
November 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Back from Liverpool where I covered the Labour party conference. ICYMI, some of the justice-related issues that were discussed, starting with growing concern about the recent political attacks on judges:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/labour-...
Labour conference: Tory attacks 'putting judges at personal risk'
Attorney general and justice minister say attacks are putting lives in danger and threatening UK prosperity.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Also incredibly frustrating to see Starmer asked 'if you say this policy is racist, are you saying the people who vote for that party are racist?' No, he isn't. So stop focusing on whether people are being called racist and focus on people terrified of being on the receiving end of racism.
mrjamesob.bsky.social James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · Oct 1
Right-wing media fluffs Farage for years, to the point where he now leads the polls, and then start whining about Starmer being 'obsessed' when he starts telling some long overdue home truths. It's actually hilarious.
October 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
The Liberal Democrats: Currently in Bournemouth for their annual conference; 3rd biggest party in the House of Commons; deserve helluva lot more media coverage than they get. On that note, here's my interview with their justice spokesperson, Josh Babarinde MP:

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/i...
In depth: As the Lib Dems convene in Bournemouth, what are the party's plans for justice?
Family court reform and a radical new legal aid policy are in the party's sights as members convene for this weekend's annual conference in Bournemouth.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
September 21, 2025 at 10:11 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
"And for the Lib Dems, they have a record breaking 72 MPs but are frustrated at a perceived lack of attention, amid the din elsewhere." Nothing "perceived" about it. My anger at the disproportionate amount of media coverage given to Reform has reached boiling point. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK amplifies existing jitters for Labour and Conservatives
The BBC's political editor says people at the top of government acknowledge the last few weeks have been dreadful for them.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Now to convince my editor to make me 'Taylor Swift correspondent':
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
Will Taylor Swift sign a prenup?
We're more likely to see Taylor Swift's 13th album before significant movement on pre-nuptial agreements in England and Wales.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Exclusive: The Home Office wrongly referred an immigration solicitor to his professional regulators.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/home-of...
Home Office wrongly referred immigration solicitor to regulators
Solicitor considering legal action after Home Office wrongly told regulators he was using delay tactics to frustrate immigration system.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards - undoubtedly better than the Oscars.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/l...
LALYs 25: Pillars of a decent society
The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards highlighted the full gamut of critical work, from representing prisoners to family law and immigration. Such advice ensures that 'people's rights have real, pra...
www.lawgazette.co.uk
July 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
"Forget early retirement. You’ll bore yourself to death with golf and gardening... Age may be 'just a number' but it’s not an unbreakable barrier. And 60 is so last year."

Cannot express just how much I loved reading what Hilary did next:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
What Hilary did next
In 2007, an aspiring solicitor wrote in the Gazette about being told she was too old at 60 to start a training contract. She proved otherwise.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
What do tech giant Apple and Prince Harry have in common? Not the start of a bad joke, but the start of a new blog from me on why it has been a good week for open justice:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
Apple, Prince Harry and open justice
High-profile cases involving the tech giant and the Royal advance the important principle of open justice.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
April 9, 2025 at 2:39 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
This is an excellent - and depressing - piece by @johnhyde.bsky.social on the shocking state of Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/i...
In depth: Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre is falling apart
Leaky roof, missing tiles, inadequate security...the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre is not fit for purpose. The centre's decrepitude touches raw nerves in Westminster's relationship with Wale...
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
A blog from me on feeling optimistic that we might see more black judges on the bench soon.

A reminder: the proportion of black judges in England and Wales has remained at 1% since 2014.

www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
LCJ's diversity pledge gives cause for optimism
The proportion of black judges has remained at 1% since 2014, but the judiciary is working hard to change that.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Amazon, don't you dare ruin Bond for me.
February 20, 2025 at 3:44 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
The first 4 paragraphs of this brilliant column by @suzywrack.bsky.social are things I've done instinctively to stay safe for as long as I can remember, not realising for ages that so many women were doing the exact same thing.
February 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
A depressing story about the legal aid landscape in Scotland and the devastating impact on domestic abuse survivors:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Woman's divorce case was turned down by 116 legal aid lawyers
A woman who was assaulted by her husband was unable to find a legal aid lawyer in Scotland to handle her case.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Monidipa Fouzder
willfordosblaw.bsky.social
Nice article in the Law Society Gazette regarding judicial review regarding legal aid for welfare benefits. Many thanks to @monidipafouzder.bsky.social
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/welfare...
Welfare benefits decision prompts firm to drop legal aid JR
Lawyers will be able to claim total costs at hourly rates when costs exceed three times the £208 fixed fee.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
A beautiful piece by in-house solicitor Hulya Erzurumlu on her journey with arthritis and how running, and charity Versus Arthritis, has helped Hulya reclaim her life.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
Why I’m running…the London Marathon
My journey with arthritis and how running - and Versus Arthritis - helped me reclaim my life.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
January 28, 2025 at 11:55 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Criminal duty solicitors provide a vital public service day and night. But the duty population has shrunk considerably (pay not great) and less than 4% of duty solicitors are under 35. So it was a joy to write this particular criminal legal aid story.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/north-w...
North Wales solicitor, 30, boosts duty population
Chloe Young urges aspiring lawyers interested in criminal defence to do work experience.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
January 7, 2025 at 8:55 PM