Thom Dyke
@thomdyke.bsky.social
Barrister at Deka Chambers | Expertise in Criminal, Public, International, and Police Law | Ranked in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 | Bencher at Inner Temple | Advocacy Trainer | BHRC Exec Committee 2026/7
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5844-3088
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5844-3088
Pinned
Thom Dyke
@thomdyke.bsky.social
· Mar 27
Thom Dyke · Short Cuts: Detained in Guantánamo
When I told people I was going to Guantánamo Bay last September to observe the trial of the 9/11 hijackers, I was met...
www.lrb.co.uk
I'm excited to share my piece from the current issue of the
@lrb.co.uk. It follows my visit to Guantánamo Bay last year, and examines the trial of the 9/11 detainees as both sides gear up for an inevitable showdown in the US Supreme Court over the proposed plea deal:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@lrb.co.uk. It follows my visit to Guantánamo Bay last year, and examines the trial of the 9/11 detainees as both sides gear up for an inevitable showdown in the US Supreme Court over the proposed plea deal:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
January 23, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Thom Dyke
Terrific fun at the Old Bailey yesterday for the English National Opera performance of Trial by Jury, together with some familiar faces in the Old Bailey Choir, helping to support the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund for prisoner rehabilitation. A special mention to the LCJ for her turn on stage!
January 17, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Terrific fun at the Old Bailey yesterday for the English National Opera performance of Trial by Jury, together with some familiar faces in the Old Bailey Choir, helping to support the Sheriffs’ and Recorder’s Fund for prisoner rehabilitation. A special mention to the LCJ for her turn on stage!
Reposted by Thom Dyke
New Interview: www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
January 3, 2026 at 9:42 PM
New Interview: www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
Taking a step back from the flurry of international law 'hot takes' on the situation in Venezuela, it's worth revisiting the analysis of @oonahathaway.bsky.social and Scott J. Shapiro in @foreignaffairs.com on the collapse of norms against the use of force:
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Might Unmakes Right
The catastrophic collapse of norms against the use of force.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Taking a step back from the flurry of international law 'hot takes' on the situation in Venezuela, it's worth revisiting the analysis of @oonahathaway.bsky.social and Scott J. Shapiro in @foreignaffairs.com on the collapse of norms against the use of force:
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Reposted by Thom Dyke
At this time of year, make sure you check in on your international law colleagues and see that they are coping!
January 3, 2026 at 2:07 PM
At this time of year, make sure you check in on your international law colleagues and see that they are coping!
Reposted by Thom Dyke
For many years Christmas hasn't been Christmas until the King William's College quiz is in position... buying a Guardian daily used to ensure I didn't miss it, but for anyone who, like me, has got out of that habit, here's the link: kwc.im/wp-content/u...
kwc.im
December 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
For many years Christmas hasn't been Christmas until the King William's College quiz is in position... buying a Guardian daily used to ensure I didn't miss it, but for anyone who, like me, has got out of that habit, here's the link: kwc.im/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Thom Dyke
The #ICJ will hear the case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya from January 12-29, the first time the ICJ considers a genocide in a decade & one that will set precedents for South Africa’s case against Israel over the war in Gaza: www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
World Court to hear Myanmar genocide case in January
The International Court of Justice will hear a landmark case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against its minority Muslim group, the Rohingya, on January 12-29, the United Nations' top court sa...
www.reuters.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The #ICJ will hear the case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya from January 12-29, the first time the ICJ considers a genocide in a decade & one that will set precedents for South Africa’s case against Israel over the war in Gaza: www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Despite the social media tendency towards hyperbole, I'm genuinely excited to join the Executive Committee of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, and helping continue their vital work supporting the rule of law and human rights around the world
barhumanrights.org.uk/announcing-t...
barhumanrights.org.uk/announcing-t...
Announcing the new BHRC Executive Committee for 2026-27 – Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales
barhumanrights.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Despite the social media tendency towards hyperbole, I'm genuinely excited to join the Executive Committee of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, and helping continue their vital work supporting the rule of law and human rights around the world
barhumanrights.org.uk/announcing-t...
barhumanrights.org.uk/announcing-t...
Terrific fun being back again in Den Haag at the International Criminal Court to deliver advanced trial advocacy training in international criminal law, on behalf of the Institute for International Legal and Advocacy Training (IILAT) and The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
December 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Terrific fun being back again in Den Haag at the International Criminal Court to deliver advanced trial advocacy training in international criminal law, on behalf of the Institute for International Legal and Advocacy Training (IILAT) and The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
Reposted by Thom Dyke
Apparently, #Ukraine has decided to 'suspend' the Ottawa Convention, which is not even permitted under the treaty. Being in armed conflict is certainly not reason to 'suspend' #IHL. That's the whole point; that's when IHL applies! #intLaw www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Joint Civil Society Statement on Ukraine’s Unlawful Suspension of the Mine Ban Treaty
Civil society statement signed by 82 organizations and campaigns raising concerns over Ukraine's suspension of the Mine Ban Treaty.
www.hrw.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Apparently, #Ukraine has decided to 'suspend' the Ottawa Convention, which is not even permitted under the treaty. Being in armed conflict is certainly not reason to 'suspend' #IHL. That's the whole point; that's when IHL applies! #intLaw www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Thom Dyke
Signs of resilience amidst troubling times in The Hague: Some thoughts from on the good and the bad from this year's Assembly of States Parties
justiceinconflict.org/2025/12/04/t... #ICC #ASP24
justiceinconflict.org/2025/12/04/t... #ICC #ASP24
Signs of resilience amidst troubling times in The Hague: Some thoughts on the good and the bad from this year’s Assembly of States Parties
ICC President Tomoko Akane speaks at the ASP (Photo: Mark Kersten) “We will continue our work undeterred.” That was the message from senior staff and prosecutors at the yearly Assembly …
justiceinconflict.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Signs of resilience amidst troubling times in The Hague: Some thoughts from on the good and the bad from this year's Assembly of States Parties
justiceinconflict.org/2025/12/04/t... #ICC #ASP24
justiceinconflict.org/2025/12/04/t... #ICC #ASP24
Now seems as good a moment as any to re-post this gem from Tony Hancock on the jury system, which is every bit as coherent as some of the contemporary commentary!
December 2, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Now seems as good a moment as any to re-post this gem from Tony Hancock on the jury system, which is every bit as coherent as some of the contemporary commentary!
Can the criminal Bar (of which I count myself a proud member) please stop making arguments for jury trials by misty-eyed appeals to tradition, fundamental rights, or assuming that it’s somehow superior to the alternative in terms of outcome?
December 2, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Can the criminal Bar (of which I count myself a proud member) please stop making arguments for jury trials by misty-eyed appeals to tradition, fundamental rights, or assuming that it’s somehow superior to the alternative in terms of outcome?
It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to spend the last week in Sierra Leone teaching advocacy. Many thanks to the Chief Justice, the Hon. Komba Kamanda, for his support and in allowing us to use the court facilities. Heartfelt thanks to my fellow trainers, not least the Hon. Justice Glenna Thompson
December 2, 2025 at 11:59 AM
It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to spend the last week in Sierra Leone teaching advocacy. Many thanks to the Chief Justice, the Hon. Komba Kamanda, for his support and in allowing us to use the court facilities. Heartfelt thanks to my fellow trainers, not least the Hon. Justice Glenna Thompson
I’m struck by the tone in which judgments are written in South Africa. Not just in the Constitutional Court, but across the board, where they often provide an object lesson in the power of quietly dignified judicial writing.
November 10, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I’m struck by the tone in which judgments are written in South Africa. Not just in the Constitutional Court, but across the board, where they often provide an object lesson in the power of quietly dignified judicial writing.
Reposted by Thom Dyke
The great poet of the English Republic and of free speech comes to @innertemple.org.uk
“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
#milton #Paradise_Lost #Areopagitica PS that Royal Proclamation is Charles II banning his books
“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
#milton #Paradise_Lost #Areopagitica PS that Royal Proclamation is Charles II banning his books
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The great poet of the English Republic and of free speech comes to @innertemple.org.uk
“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
#milton #Paradise_Lost #Areopagitica PS that Royal Proclamation is Charles II banning his books
“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
#milton #Paradise_Lost #Areopagitica PS that Royal Proclamation is Charles II banning his books
Reposted by Thom Dyke
Are you in Oxford on November 6? If so, consider joining me for my talk, "War Unbound"! Details below.
We warmly invite you to our second PIL Discussion Group event of this term, scheduled for next Thursday, 6 November 2025. Prof @oonahathaway.bsky.social will deliver a talk entitled ‘War Unbound’. For more information and to register for the event, see here: www.law.ox.ac.uk/content/even....
PIL Discussion Group: War Unbound | Faculty of
Abstract International humanitarian law, also known as the law of armed conflict, is supposed to
www.law.ox.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Are you in Oxford on November 6? If so, consider joining me for my talk, "War Unbound"! Details below.
Vote now for the face of November 2026! – Law Paw Calendar
lawpawcalendar.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Thom Dyke
Periodic reminder that Erskine May is freely available online
October 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Periodic reminder that Erskine May is freely available online
Reposted by Thom Dyke
Having been described in previous years as “punchy” and “pugilistic”, it’s a genuine pleasure to have my advocacy recognised in Chambers and Partners as compassionate and empathetic. It goes to show that you can be every bit as effective without any need for aggression in court.
October 16, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Having been described in previous years as “punchy” and “pugilistic”, it’s a genuine pleasure to have my advocacy recognised in Chambers and Partners as compassionate and empathetic. It goes to show that you can be every bit as effective without any need for aggression in court.