Joshua Rozenberg
@joshuarozenberg.bsky.social
KC (hon). UK's most experienced full-time legal commentator. Honorary bencher, Gray's Inn. Former solicitor (non-practising). Writes at https://rozenberg.substack.com
Will President Trump sue the BBC for $1 billion? As the US president no doubt intended, it’s a figure that appears in almost every front-page newspaper headline today.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
Will Trump sue?
Not if the BBC makes sufficient amends this week
rozenberg.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Will President Trump sue the BBC for $1 billion? As the US president no doubt intended, it’s a figure that appears in almost every front-page newspaper headline today.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
Tomorrow marks a full year since member states of the International Criminal Court announced an external investigation into allegations that the court’s senior prosecutor had sexually assaulted a member of his staff.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/icc-probe-...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/icc-probe-...
ICC probe enters second year
More allegation surface as the court's prosecutor remains on leave of absence
rozenberg.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Tomorrow marks a full year since member states of the International Criminal Court announced an external investigation into allegations that the court’s senior prosecutor had sexually assaulted a member of his staff.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/icc-probe-...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/icc-probe-...
One of the strangest aspects of the recent China spy trial “disappointment” is that prosecutors thought a judgment from the Court of Appeal in a similar case last year had made it harder for them to secure a conviction.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/whos-to-bl...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/whos-to-bl...
Who’s to blame?
Why did China spy trial collapse?
rozenberg.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:15 AM
One of the strangest aspects of the recent China spy trial “disappointment” is that prosecutors thought a judgment from the Court of Appeal in a similar case last year had made it harder for them to secure a conviction.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/whos-to-bl...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/whos-to-bl...
Tagging offenders will not provide an effective alternative to prison unless probation is better funded, according to peers. Meanwhile, police chiefs say reducing the prison population under the sentencing bill will lead to a short-term increase in crime.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/fighting-c...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/fighting-c...
Fighting crime needs funding
Peers say probation needs more money while police predict more crime
rozenberg.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Tagging offenders will not provide an effective alternative to prison unless probation is better funded, according to peers. Meanwhile, police chiefs say reducing the prison population under the sentencing bill will lead to a short-term increase in crime.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/fighting-c...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/fighting-c...
Why was Tommy Robinson prosecuted under the Terrorism Act? Why, indeed, was he even arrested by an accredited counter-terrorism officer in Folkstone as he sought to leave the country in July last year?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/terror-cha...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/terror-cha...
Terror charge dismissed
But why was Tommy Robinson prosecuted in. the first place?
rozenberg.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Why was Tommy Robinson prosecuted under the Terrorism Act? Why, indeed, was he even arrested by an accredited counter-terrorism officer in Folkstone as he sought to leave the country in July last year?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/terror-cha...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/terror-cha...
Reposted by Joshua Rozenberg
“A decision to reject the #ECHR would be tremendously damaging to the #RuleOfLaw both in Europe but also more generally,” the UK judge at the European Court of Human Rights tells @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social👇
🔗 rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
#HumanRights #ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms #ECHR75
🔗 rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
#HumanRights #ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms #ECHR75
Judging human rights
The new British member of the human rights court tells me why he wanted the job
rozenberg.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
“A decision to reject the #ECHR would be tremendously damaging to the #RuleOfLaw both in Europe but also more generally,” the UK judge at the European Court of Human Rights tells @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social👇
🔗 rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
#HumanRights #ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms #ECHR75
🔗 rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
#HumanRights #ECHR #OurRightsAndFreedoms #ECHR75
Up to 44 million consumers came a little closer to claiming compensation estimated at between £45 and £70 each when the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that a litigation funder should pay additional costs incurred in the long-running Mastercard claim.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/mastercard...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/mastercard...
Mastercard challenge fails
Funder must now pay additional costs after failing to overturn settlement
rozenberg.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Up to 44 million consumers came a little closer to claiming compensation estimated at between £45 and £70 each when the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that a litigation funder should pay additional costs incurred in the long-running Mastercard claim.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/mastercard...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/mastercard...
Hugh Mercer KC has sat as the UK judge at the European Court of Human Rights for little more than a month. But two major political parties are seeking to have Judge Mercer kicked off the court. Does he still think applying for the post was a good career move?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
Judging human rights
The new British member of the human rights court tells me why he wanted the job
rozenberg.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Hugh Mercer KC has sat as the UK judge at the European Court of Human Rights for little more than a month. But two major political parties are seeking to have Judge Mercer kicked off the court. Does he still think applying for the post was a good career move?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/judging-hu...
Drug use in prisons has become normalised, the House of Commons justice committee says in a report published this morning. MPs call on the government to reintroduce regular testing in order to restore accountability and assess the extent of drug use.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/where-to-f...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/where-to-f...
Where to find drugs
Just get yourself sentenced to prison and they’ll find you
rozenberg.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Drug use in prisons has become normalised, the House of Commons justice committee says in a report published this morning. MPs call on the government to reintroduce regular testing in order to restore accountability and assess the extent of drug use.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/where-to-f...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/where-to-f...
Democracy is under challenge in the west, a former president of the UK Supreme Court told me this week. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury said people were turning to populist alternatives and, he added, populism tends not to respect the rule of law.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
Justice for all?
Former top judge says improving the rule of law depends on political will
rozenberg.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Democracy is under challenge in the west, a former president of the UK Supreme Court told me this week. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury said people were turning to populist alternatives and, he added, populism tends not to respect the rule of law.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
Democracy is under challenge in the west, a former president of the Supreme Court told me this week. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury said people were turning to populist alternatives and, he added, populism tends not to respect the rule of law.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
Justice for all?
Former top judge says improving the rule of law depends on political will
rozenberg.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Democracy is under challenge in the west, a former president of the Supreme Court told me this week. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury said people were turning to populist alternatives and, he added, populism tends not to respect the rule of law.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/justice-fo...
The senior family judge of England and Wales is to retire next April. Sir Andrew McFarlane, 71, president of the High Court family division since 2018, told the Commons justice committee yesterday that he had given six months’ notice of his plan to stand down.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/family-fav...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/family-fav...
Family favourites
And universal disappointment at the China spy case collapse
rozenberg.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:04 AM
The senior family judge of England and Wales is to retire next April. Sir Andrew McFarlane, 71, president of the High Court family division since 2018, told the Commons justice committee yesterday that he had given six months’ notice of his plan to stand down.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/family-fav...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/family-fav...
“There is a strong public interest in the home secretary being able to pursue her ‘one in, one out’ policy unless or until it is shown to be unlawful,” a High Court judge said at a late-night hearing last week.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/one-in-one...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/one-in-one...
‘One in, one out’ upheld
High Court refuses last-minute injunctions against Shabana Mahmood
rozenberg.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:04 AM
“There is a strong public interest in the home secretary being able to pursue her ‘one in, one out’ policy unless or until it is shown to be unlawful,” a High Court judge said at a late-night hearing last week.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/one-in-one...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/one-in-one...
The director of public prosecutions Stephen Parkinson will tell MPs and peers today that he gave the government’s deputy national security adviser every opportunity to testify that China was regarded by the last Conservative government as an enemy state.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/answers-at...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/answers-at...
Answers, at last
But plenty of questions about the China spy case still remain
rozenberg.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:02 AM
The director of public prosecutions Stephen Parkinson will tell MPs and peers today that he gave the government’s deputy national security adviser every opportunity to testify that China was regarded by the last Conservative government as an enemy state.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/answers-at...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/answers-at...
James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, were murdered on Bloody Sunday, a judge at Belfast Crown Court concluded yesterday. The defendant, Soldier F, was one of those responsible, Judge Lynch KC continued.
Why, then, was Soldier F cleared of all charges?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/was-justic...
Why, then, was Soldier F cleared of all charges?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/was-justic...
Was justice done?
Two men were murdered but nobody has been convicted
rozenberg.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:05 AM
James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, were murdered on Bloody Sunday, a judge at Belfast Crown Court concluded yesterday. The defendant, Soldier F, was one of those responsible, Judge Lynch KC continued.
Why, then, was Soldier F cleared of all charges?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/was-justic...
Why, then, was Soldier F cleared of all charges?
rozenberg.substack.com/p/was-justic...
A diplomat who served in Beijing has cast doubt on what’s thought to have been a major allegation in the failed China spying case. But as Ken Macdonald KC told me yesterday, the double scoop on his Double Jeopardy podcast raises more questions than it answers.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/secrets-ca...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/secrets-ca...
Secrets case latest
Prosecutors alleged defendant met top party official in random provincial restaurant
rozenberg.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 AM
A diplomat who served in Beijing has cast doubt on what’s thought to have been a major allegation in the failed China spying case. But as Ken Macdonald KC told me yesterday, the double scoop on his Double Jeopardy podcast raises more questions than it answers.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/secrets-ca...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/secrets-ca...
The government is proposing to repeal the statutory presumption, introduced in 2014, that both parents should remain involved in their children’s upbringing following a separation. A report in 2020 suggested it was putting children at risk of domestic abuse.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/best-for-t...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/best-for-t...
Best for the child
One parent or two? It depends on the parent
rozenberg.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:03 AM
The government is proposing to repeal the statutory presumption, introduced in 2014, that both parents should remain involved in their children’s upbringing following a separation. A report in 2020 suggested it was putting children at risk of domestic abuse.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/best-for-t...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/best-for-t...
Reposted by Joshua Rozenberg
As always from Joshua, a clear breakdown of what the ruling was (and was not about) and the possible implications.
The Court of Appeal decision in favour of Palestine Action on Friday was not a “landmark victory”, as the protest group’s co-founder Huda Ammori claimed. But it was a significant pointer to the eventual outcome — not least for 2,000 placard-holding protestors.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/palestine-...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/palestine-...
Palestine protestors
What's likely to happen to them now?
rozenberg.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:37 AM
As always from Joshua, a clear breakdown of what the ruling was (and was not about) and the possible implications.
A Crown Court judge will deliver his verdict this week on a man accused of two murders. I can say “verdict” because the defendant, a former soldier, was tried by the judge sitting in Northern Ireland without a jury.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/a-juryless...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/a-juryless...
A juryless murder trial
What happens when only a judge will do?
rozenberg.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:04 AM
A Crown Court judge will deliver his verdict this week on a man accused of two murders. I can say “verdict” because the defendant, a former soldier, was tried by the judge sitting in Northern Ireland without a jury.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/a-juryless...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/a-juryless...
The Court of Appeal decision in favour of Palestine Action on Friday was not a “landmark victory”, as the protest group’s co-founder Huda Ammori claimed. But it was a significant pointer to the eventual outcome — not least for 2,000 placard-holding protestors.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/palestine-...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/palestine-...
Palestine protestors
What's likely to happen to them now?
rozenberg.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:03 AM
The Court of Appeal decision in favour of Palestine Action on Friday was not a “landmark victory”, as the protest group’s co-founder Huda Ammori claimed. But it was a significant pointer to the eventual outcome — not least for 2,000 placard-holding protestors.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/palestine-...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/palestine-...
“There is no offence of blasphemy in our law,” Mr Justice Bennathan ruled last Friday, clearing Hamit Coskun of a public order offence.
An offence of blasphemy had existed for centuries. Some campaigners wanted it to be extended. Instead, it was scrapped:
rozenberg.substack.com/p/blasphemy-...
An offence of blasphemy had existed for centuries. Some campaigners wanted it to be extended. Instead, it was scrapped:
rozenberg.substack.com/p/blasphemy-...
Blasphemy banished
Why protestor was cleared on appeal
rozenberg.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:41 AM
“There is no offence of blasphemy in our law,” Mr Justice Bennathan ruled last Friday, clearing Hamit Coskun of a public order offence.
An offence of blasphemy had existed for centuries. Some campaigners wanted it to be extended. Instead, it was scrapped:
rozenberg.substack.com/p/blasphemy-...
An offence of blasphemy had existed for centuries. Some campaigners wanted it to be extended. Instead, it was scrapped:
rozenberg.substack.com/p/blasphemy-...
“Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession are irresponsible and dangerous,” lawyers' representatives said this week.
For a unique perspective on the challenges facing judges, I spoke to Professor Sir Ross Cranston, about his new book, Judging.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/traducing-...
For a unique perspective on the challenges facing judges, I spoke to Professor Sir Ross Cranston, about his new book, Judging.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/traducing-...
Traducing the judges
Might a new criminal offence help protect judicial independence?
rozenberg.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:05 AM
“Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession are irresponsible and dangerous,” lawyers' representatives said this week.
For a unique perspective on the challenges facing judges, I spoke to Professor Sir Ross Cranston, about his new book, Judging.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/traducing-...
For a unique perspective on the challenges facing judges, I spoke to Professor Sir Ross Cranston, about his new book, Judging.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/traducing-...
MPs have suggested that the director of public prosecutions did not inform the attorney general of his decision to stop the prosecution of two men accused of spying for China until after it had been taken.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/when-was-a...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/when-was-a...
When was AG told?
MPs ask DPP whether he left his boss in the dark about China case
rozenberg.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:51 PM
MPs have suggested that the director of public prosecutions did not inform the attorney general of his decision to stop the prosecution of two men accused of spying for China until after it had been taken.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/when-was-a...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/when-was-a...
MPs ask DPP: "Is it correct that you informed the Attorney General that the [China] case was being dropped after
the decision to do so had been made?"
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
the decision to do so had been made?"
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
October 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
MPs ask DPP: "Is it correct that you informed the Attorney General that the [China] case was being dropped after
the decision to do so had been made?"
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
the decision to do so had been made?"
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
MPs put tough new questions on China to director of public prosecutions:
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
October 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
MPs put tough new questions on China to director of public prosecutions:
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk/publications...