Jonathan Mitchell
@jjmitchell.bsky.social
Retired advocate, QC, KC. Edinburgh by birth and nature.
This article is a first-rate introduction to the awful stories of two unnecessary deaths and the reaction/indifference of the Scottish state and its justice system. There's a lot more to be said- why do so many more young people die in custody here than, it seems, any other country in Europe? 1/2
“William’s story was one of intergenerational trauma & of the lies Scotland tells itself about its treatment of its most vulnerable children.” My @londonreview.bsky.social longread on the Polmont suicides & our failing youth justice system is the culmination of 6 years’ work & means a lot to me.
Dani Garavelli · Jailed, Failed, Forgotten: Deaths in Custody
William had spent most of his life in the care of the state. His story was one of intergenerational trauma, common to...
www.lrb.co.uk
February 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
This article is a first-rate introduction to the awful stories of two unnecessary deaths and the reaction/indifference of the Scottish state and its justice system. There's a lot more to be said- why do so many more young people die in custody here than, it seems, any other country in Europe? 1/2
Reposted by Jonathan Mitchell
🚨The first ever UNCRC Act case has been decided in Scotland!
In a significant judgment, the High Court in Edinburgh has accepted our arguments and ruled that the Lord Advocate’s power to prosecute children is within the scope of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
1/5
#UNCRC
In a significant judgment, the High Court in Edinburgh has accepted our arguments and ruled that the Lord Advocate’s power to prosecute children is within the scope of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
1/5
#UNCRC
www.scotcourts.gov.uk
January 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
🚨The first ever UNCRC Act case has been decided in Scotland!
In a significant judgment, the High Court in Edinburgh has accepted our arguments and ruled that the Lord Advocate’s power to prosecute children is within the scope of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
1/5
#UNCRC
In a significant judgment, the High Court in Edinburgh has accepted our arguments and ruled that the Lord Advocate’s power to prosecute children is within the scope of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
1/5
#UNCRC
🧵 A Court of Session decision today between two Icelanders raises the novel (to me) question of how to cite the case; by patronymic or by given name, or indeed by full name, and how to spell it. But I note it for its final paragraph, which is even more novel - although maybe it shouldn't be!
January 16, 2025 at 10:34 PM
🧵 A Court of Session decision today between two Icelanders raises the novel (to me) question of how to cite the case; by patronymic or by given name, or indeed by full name, and how to spell it. But I note it for its final paragraph, which is even more novel - although maybe it shouldn't be!
‘History says, Don’t hope
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.’
Seamus Heaney, The Cure of Troy
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.’
Seamus Heaney, The Cure of Troy
🧵♥️✊🏼✌🏼
VICTORY 🧵
Congratulations to every Syrian who fought tirelessly for this moment: the peaceful protesters, the Free Syrian Army fighters, the detainees who paid the heaviest price among us, and the heroes of the White Helmets who gave us hope in our darkest hours.
Congratulations to every Syrian who fought tirelessly for this moment: the peaceful protesters, the Free Syrian Army fighters, the detainees who paid the heaviest price among us, and the heroes of the White Helmets who gave us hope in our darkest hours.
December 8, 2024 at 10:52 AM
‘History says, Don’t hope
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.’
Seamus Heaney, The Cure of Troy
On this side of the grave…
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.’
Seamus Heaney, The Cure of Troy
Good example of the Streisand Effect (h/t Dan Neidle): anonymity sought by barristers chambers on plea that ‘everyone will scorn and mock us if the facts come out, so please don’t let anyone know…. ‘ . Result: facts come out in far more detail, and more widely, than if they’d just stayed quiet.
There's just been an attempt to hush up a £2.75m fraud at Pump Court Chambers (one of the country's biggest barristers chambers).
An anonymity order was initially granted, but the High Court just overturned the order. It's shocking it was granted at all - the rationale was paper thin.
An anonymity order was initially granted, but the High Court just overturned the order. It's shocking it was granted at all - the rationale was paper thin.
September 25, 2024 at 4:29 PM
Good example of the Streisand Effect (h/t Dan Neidle): anonymity sought by barristers chambers on plea that ‘everyone will scorn and mock us if the facts come out, so please don’t let anyone know…. ‘ . Result: facts come out in far more detail, and more widely, than if they’d just stayed quiet.
Reposted by Jonathan Mitchell
Ian Hamilton Finlay
FOX
see me
wan time
ah wis a fox
an wis ah sleekit! ah
gaed slinkin
heh
an snappin
yeh
the blokes
aa sayed ah wis a G R E A T fox
aw nae kiddin
ah wis pretty good
had a whole damn wood
in them days
hen
17 September is #NationalFoxDay 🦊
FOX
see me
wan time
ah wis a fox
an wis ah sleekit! ah
gaed slinkin
heh
an snappin
yeh
the blokes
aa sayed ah wis a G R E A T fox
aw nae kiddin
ah wis pretty good
had a whole damn wood
in them days
hen
17 September is #NationalFoxDay 🦊
September 17, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Ian Hamilton Finlay
FOX
see me
wan time
ah wis a fox
an wis ah sleekit! ah
gaed slinkin
heh
an snappin
yeh
the blokes
aa sayed ah wis a G R E A T fox
aw nae kiddin
ah wis pretty good
had a whole damn wood
in them days
hen
17 September is #NationalFoxDay 🦊
FOX
see me
wan time
ah wis a fox
an wis ah sleekit! ah
gaed slinkin
heh
an snappin
yeh
the blokes
aa sayed ah wis a G R E A T fox
aw nae kiddin
ah wis pretty good
had a whole damn wood
in them days
hen
17 September is #NationalFoxDay 🦊