Jacob Gifford Head
@giffordhead.co.uk
Barrister & mediator.
Things I like: legal history & legal oddities; music & musical instruments; Mesopotamian history; & Portuguese wine and Port.
My professional website is: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk
Please email rather than DM!
Forgive typos.
Things I like: legal history & legal oddities; music & musical instruments; Mesopotamian history; & Portuguese wine and Port.
My professional website is: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk
Please email rather than DM!
Forgive typos.
Of course the key questions are whether he passed the Port the right way and if he knows the Bishop of Norwich...
Just ghosted my date because he was holding his knife and fork in the wrong hands. He has a PhD, so there's no excuse for that.
November 14, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Of course the key questions are whether he passed the Port the right way and if he knows the Bishop of Norwich...
Anyone else want to agree with my hot take that entitlement to possession of a chattel is firmly a common law matter rather than one for equity & so the court of chancery lacked jurisdiction?
The Court of Chancery spends a lot of time deciding cases that involve multi-billion-dollar deals. Its equity jurisdiction means it also gets to decide things like who should keep Tucker the Goldendoodle (don't worry, he's not getting cut in half) courts.delaware.gov/Opinions/Dow...
November 14, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Anyone else want to agree with my hot take that entitlement to possession of a chattel is firmly a common law matter rather than one for equity & so the court of chancery lacked jurisdiction?
If, within reason, you were limited to a single table wine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chateau Musar would have to be quite high for me. It's not cheap but is still very good value—at least half the price which its quality deserves.
Chateau Musar would have to be quite high for me. It's not cheap but is still very good value—at least half the price which its quality deserves.
November 14, 2025 at 7:15 PM
If, within reason, you were limited to a single table wine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chateau Musar would have to be quite high for me. It's not cheap but is still very good value—at least half the price which its quality deserves.
Chateau Musar would have to be quite high for me. It's not cheap but is still very good value—at least half the price which its quality deserves.
I don’t think I’d seen this panoramic picture before, though a few of the other photographs from this article are familiar. It’s really quite impressive and must have quite a technical feat at the time. Pity NG’s text appears to contain more Orientalism than you can shake “Culture & Imperialism” at.
By the early 20th century there was an unofficial race to capture a photograph of Lhasa, the religious center of Tibet.
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
In 1905 National Geographic printed a few of the first photos of the region and a decade later, in 1916, published a large panoramic insert of Lhasa's Potala Palace. 🧵
🗃️ 📜 #Tibet
November 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I don’t think I’d seen this panoramic picture before, though a few of the other photographs from this article are familiar. It’s really quite impressive and must have quite a technical feat at the time. Pity NG’s text appears to contain more Orientalism than you can shake “Culture & Imperialism” at.
One of the reasons why I like Malcolm’s website is that it is a nice reminder of what the WWW used to be like, pre-social networks, Wikipedia, social networks and Web2.0. Of course, I like all of the developments since but I do miss interesting factual websites run by enthusiasts.
#onthisday, 14 November 1999, I posted the 1st page on my Victorian Turkish Baths website www.victorianturkishbath.org. It is now 22 years old.
It may look a bit clunky, having preceded CSS standards, but it includes over 400 articles & more than 1400 images, including many not in my book. 🗃️ #C19th
It may look a bit clunky, having preceded CSS standards, but it includes over 400 articles & more than 1400 images, including many not in my book. 🗃️ #C19th
November 14, 2025 at 11:49 AM
One of the reasons why I like Malcolm’s website is that it is a nice reminder of what the WWW used to be like, pre-social networks, Wikipedia, social networks and Web2.0. Of course, I like all of the developments since but I do miss interesting factual websites run by enthusiasts.
My @thomasmorechambers.bsky.social colleague & former pupil mistress, Laura Collignon, has written an interesting article about limitation periods in child sexual abuse claims, having been involved in the first English case which considered the Scottish law that has influenced the reforms here.
Time limit for child sexual abuse claims
Personal injury.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:03 AM
My @thomasmorechambers.bsky.social colleague & former pupil mistress, Laura Collignon, has written an interesting article about limitation periods in child sexual abuse claims, having been involved in the first English case which considered the Scottish law that has influenced the reforms here.
Sometimes you do wonder if more terms should be left to the courts to define, in case of dispute, without the intervention of Parliament.
Entertaining myself with the definition of 'pet' being inserted by the Renters Rights Act 2025.
Probably should add:
'(e) Fear of retribution from the animal if otherwise'
to cover most cats
Probably should add:
'(e) Fear of retribution from the animal if otherwise'
to cover most cats
November 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Sometimes you do wonder if more terms should be left to the courts to define, in case of dispute, without the intervention of Parliament.
It is worth reading the whole of Barbara Mills KC’s comments towards the end of the article. The reality is that our court estate is not suitable for the needs of modern litigation and, also, is often in an appalling state of disrepair.
I sometimes wonder how many serious incidents will occur.
I sometimes wonder how many serious incidents will occur.
Domestic abuse victims forced to wait in same rooms as alleged perpetrators at courts
Only 15 per cent of families are eligible for legal aid, meaning victims are often forced to represent themselves
www.independent.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:46 AM
It is worth reading the whole of Barbara Mills KC’s comments towards the end of the article. The reality is that our court estate is not suitable for the needs of modern litigation and, also, is often in an appalling state of disrepair.
I sometimes wonder how many serious incidents will occur.
I sometimes wonder how many serious incidents will occur.
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...
Interesting framing of this article. I thought Diageo might be famous enough to be named directly. Or characterised as more than “Guinness maker” since so many of their brands are popular in the UK (e.g. Johnny Walker, Smirnoff, Gordon’s etc.)
Guinness maker appoints former Tesco chief Dave Lewis as new boss
It is hoped the former Tesco boss can reignite sales at the biggest drinks-maker in the world, Diageo.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Interesting framing of this article. I thought Diageo might be famous enough to be named directly. Or characterised as more than “Guinness maker” since so many of their brands are popular in the UK (e.g. Johnny Walker, Smirnoff, Gordon’s etc.)
When I started secondary school, they made us do a future careers questionnaire with some DOS-based software (it asked you questions and you typed the answers).
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
November 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
When I started secondary school, they made us do a future careers questionnaire with some DOS-based software (it asked you questions and you typed the answers).
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
Ocarina collectors clearly have more money than the flageolet collecting crowd. Pity since I'd have quite like the French flageolet by Noblet, even though it is missing a beak (and the vendor has put the body section on the wrong way round; the holes are for your thumbs.)
November 8, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Ocarina collectors clearly have more money than the flageolet collecting crowd. Pity since I'd have quite like the French flageolet by Noblet, even though it is missing a beak (and the vendor has put the body section on the wrong way round; the holes are for your thumbs.)
Edenbridge Bonfire Night.
November 8, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Edenbridge Bonfire Night.
A belated Bonfire Night means I can finally open this year's smoking Bishop.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
November 8, 2025 at 4:32 PM
A belated Bonfire Night means I can finally open this year's smoking Bishop.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
I love the English of these old adverts. Particularly their choice of adjectives. "Perfect ventilation". "Careful attention". "Season tickets as a liberal reduction". "Invalids can go through a proper course of treatment. Terms moderate".
#onthisday, 8 November 1884, Alfred Butler Clarke is thought to have opened #TurkishBaths in Gladstone Road, Scotholme, #Nottingham. Men's & women's sessions. Physician attended daily. With medicated, vapour, electric & hot & cold slipper baths. Like many others, closed around start of WWI. 🗃️ #C19th
November 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I love the English of these old adverts. Particularly their choice of adjectives. "Perfect ventilation". "Careful attention". "Season tickets as a liberal reduction". "Invalids can go through a proper course of treatment. Terms moderate".
This is quite amusing. But also: another Scottish Judge presiding over a UK/GB-wide court. Really interesting how common this has become.
"Ailsa Jane Carmichael (commonly known as the Right Honourable Lady Carmichael)"
When your common name is more noble than your commoner name
www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4994174
When your common name is more noble than your commoner name
www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4994174
November 7, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This is quite amusing. But also: another Scottish Judge presiding over a UK/GB-wide court. Really interesting how common this has become.
Reposted by Jacob Gifford Head
It should be more widely known that the English judicial system decided that eternal damnation is not truly a part of the doctrine of the church.
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
The day the British state abolished Hell
The British state doesn’t just look after the material interests of its citizens. It looks after their spiritual destiny as well. With not one but two state churches – the Church of England a…
robindouglas.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:17 AM
It should be more widely known that the English judicial system decided that eternal damnation is not truly a part of the doctrine of the church.
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
Every single time I open a bottle of this Port the cork explodes. Yet do I remember for next time? Never!
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
November 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Every single time I open a bottle of this Port the cork explodes. Yet do I remember for next time? Never!
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
Interesting question. There must be quite a few English examples, in addition to the Lakin which I cited in reply.
The next post reports that the US district judge read the poem in full. Sandburg's "Chicago" is now therefore in the court record. Do we know how many other poems have become part of judicial history by being read aloud in court (aside from obscenity and IP cases)?
Ellis begins by quoting from Carl Sandburg's "Chicago": www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Interesting question. There must be quite a few English examples, in addition to the Lakin which I cited in reply.
I'm delighted that the BBC has live coverage of the flaming tar barrel rolling in Ottery St Mary...
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
Flaming tar barrels carried through streets of Ottery St Mary in Devon
Follow live as tar barrels are carried through Ottery St Mary in a centuries-old Bonfire Night tradition.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I'm delighted that the BBC has live coverage of the flaming tar barrel rolling in Ottery St Mary...
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
This raises the age-old change-of-status drafting question: if the letters patent are the operative document shouldn't they declare that "Prince Andrew" is no longer entitled to hold and enjoy (etc.)?
“THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent…dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince’.” www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4992102
Crown Office
www.thegazette.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This raises the age-old change-of-status drafting question: if the letters patent are the operative document shouldn't they declare that "Prince Andrew" is no longer entitled to hold and enjoy (etc.)?
Reading about other jurisdiction’s legal systems are always interesting for the unexpected divergences. For example, the ingredients of the offence of common assault as so well settled over here that I can’t imagine ever having much disagreement over how the jury should be instructed on them.
Next! Parties spent the morning haggling over definitions — of “assault,” five other verbs the government can prove, and “forcibly.” On assault, defense wants more to be required than just “touching, offensive to a person of reasonable sensibility.”
November 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reading about other jurisdiction’s legal systems are always interesting for the unexpected divergences. For example, the ingredients of the offence of common assault as so well settled over here that I can’t imagine ever having much disagreement over how the jury should be instructed on them.
“Repair and redevelopment costs are likely to be in the region of approximately £10 million or more, depending on intended use.”
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
Lots of midges and ticks on Rum, and quite a hike to the butcher and deli, so no thanks
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Check out this 20 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove
20 bedroom detached house for sale in Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum, PH43 for £750,000. Marketed by Savills Rural Sales, Edinburgh
www.rightmove.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
“Repair and redevelopment costs are likely to be in the region of approximately £10 million or more, depending on intended use.”
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
This is an interesting article. I think we sometimes think tastes for wines & spirits are somehow timeless when, in fact, they change quite frequently & dramatically. The causes can vary: fashion & politics featuring heavily. But rarely does it have much to do with the quality of the product.
My blog is out: The strange story of British sherry drinking: It's Sherry Week: a time to enjoy Spain's greatest fortified #wine - and ponder its sad decline in popularity. Plus: some of the top festive-season wine tastings
aviewfrommytable.substack.com/p/the-strang...
aviewfrommytable.substack.com/p/the-strang...
The strange story of British sherry drinking
It's Sherry Week: a time to enjoy Spain's greatest fortified wine - and ponder its sad decline in popularity in this country. Plus: some of the top festive-season wine tastings
aviewfrommytable.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:21 AM
This is an interesting article. I think we sometimes think tastes for wines & spirits are somehow timeless when, in fact, they change quite frequently & dramatically. The causes can vary: fashion & politics featuring heavily. But rarely does it have much to do with the quality of the product.
Reminds me of defending in the Magistrates' Court where you'd sometimes ask questions like this just to point out how ridiculous the whole thing was.
Defense is now questioning Lairmore on cross-examination. They show a video still of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground, post-throw.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
November 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reminds me of defending in the Magistrates' Court where you'd sometimes ask questions like this just to point out how ridiculous the whole thing was.