Josie Fathers
@josie-f.bsky.social
Barrister. Human rights, immigration and public law. Any views expressed are mine.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
*Stares from the part of the UK in which jury trials were ditched in very many serious cases half a century ago*
The Government has been urged to reconsider sweeping reforms that would see jury trials ditched for all but the most serious cases.
Lawyers raise concerns over plans to scrap most jury trials
www.mirror.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
*Stares from the part of the UK in which jury trials were ditched in very many serious cases half a century ago*
Reposted by Josie Fathers
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession are irresponsible and dangerous. Legal organisations representing 250,000 lawyers have come together to express grave concern.
Read the statement
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/vil...
Read the news
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Read the statement
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/vil...
Read the news
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
October 13, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession are irresponsible and dangerous. Legal organisations representing 250,000 lawyers have come together to express grave concern.
Read the statement
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/vil...
Read the news
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Read the statement
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/vil...
Read the news
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
Recent media commentary has focused on members of Garden Court Chambers and others who sit as part-time judges.
This is Garden Court's statement 👇
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/garden-court...
#RuleofLaw #Judicialindependence #SeparationOfPowers #Constitution
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
This is Garden Court's statement 👇
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/garden-court...
#RuleofLaw #Judicialindependence #SeparationOfPowers #Constitution
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Garden Court statement: media commentary on part-time judges | Garden Court Chambers
Garden Court Chambers is aware of press and social media commentary focused on members of Garden Court Chambers and others who sit as part- time judges.
gardencourtchambers.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Recent media commentary has focused on members of Garden Court Chambers and others who sit as part-time judges.
This is Garden Court's statement 👇
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/garden-court...
#RuleofLaw #Judicialindependence #SeparationOfPowers #Constitution
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
This is Garden Court's statement 👇
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/garden-court...
#RuleofLaw #Judicialindependence #SeparationOfPowers #Constitution
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
superb - Robert Jenrick is supporting the case of asylum seeker, who is appealing against a public order conviction, using the ECHR bsky.app/profile/rola...
I see Robert Jenrick is supporting Hamit Coskun who is appealing his conviction by reference to the ECHR (which Jenrick wants to withdraw from).
Who knew that the ECHR could be useful, even to the anti-ECHR Hard Right?
Who knew that the ECHR could be useful, even to the anti-ECHR Hard Right?
October 10, 2025 at 11:13 AM
superb - Robert Jenrick is supporting the case of asylum seeker, who is appealing against a public order conviction, using the ECHR bsky.app/profile/rola...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
"The overwhelming majority of asylum seekers want to share in our standards and escape from persecution or civil war. To describe them as thieves or rapists is not just dishonest but encourages the worst sort of prejudice in our communities," writes Michael Heseltine.
https://bit.ly/4mUIeM
https://bit.ly/4mUIeM
The Conservatives must never have any part in Farage’s po...
To describe asylum seekers as thieves or rapists encourages the worst sort of prejudice. We don’t need Trump’s mouthpiece anywhere near No 10
bit.ly
October 5, 2025 at 11:50 AM
"The overwhelming majority of asylum seekers want to share in our standards and escape from persecution or civil war. To describe them as thieves or rapists is not just dishonest but encourages the worst sort of prejudice in our communities," writes Michael Heseltine.
https://bit.ly/4mUIeM
https://bit.ly/4mUIeM
Reposted by Josie Fathers
Note how we’ve moved from concerns about people arriving irregularly in small boats to wrecking the lives of people who are by definition here entirely lawfully
Should really say "Farage plans to tear up the Brexit deal he supported" since it would requiring reneging on the Withdrawal Agreement (most "foreign nationals" claiming benefits are EU citizens with settled status)
://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2111398/nigel-farage-welfare-foreign-nationals
://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2111398/nigel-farage-welfare-foreign-nationals
Nigel Farage to ban all foreign nationals from claiming benefits
EXCLUSIVE: Reform UK leader to make announcement at press conference on Monday
www.express.co.uk
September 21, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Note how we’ve moved from concerns about people arriving irregularly in small boats to wrecking the lives of people who are by definition here entirely lawfully
Reposted by Josie Fathers
🚨 Raise the alarm: While the Rwanda policy drew outrage, a new wave of harmful immigration policies is going under the radar.
Detention + deportation changes are deeply damaging, and we’re urgently fundraising to provide free legal support.
Read more & donate: www.biduk.org/articles/rai...
Detention + deportation changes are deeply damaging, and we’re urgently fundraising to provide free legal support.
Read more & donate: www.biduk.org/articles/rai...
Raise the alarm: Five changes to immigration policy you need to know about
From asylum seeker deportations to new detention centres, swipe to read about the latest changes and how you can help.
www.biduk.org
September 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
🚨 Raise the alarm: While the Rwanda policy drew outrage, a new wave of harmful immigration policies is going under the radar.
Detention + deportation changes are deeply damaging, and we’re urgently fundraising to provide free legal support.
Read more & donate: www.biduk.org/articles/rai...
Detention + deportation changes are deeply damaging, and we’re urgently fundraising to provide free legal support.
Read more & donate: www.biduk.org/articles/rai...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
Much of the furore around the use of Article 8 ECHR in immigration cases is manufactured, as @alicedonald.bsky.social and co-authors highlight in this new, must-read report. The problem has been supercharged since Leveson LJ identified it a decade ago:
www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
September 4, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Much of the furore around the use of Article 8 ECHR in immigration cases is manufactured, as @alicedonald.bsky.social and co-authors highlight in this new, must-read report. The problem has been supercharged since Leveson LJ identified it a decade ago:
www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
A new report from the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford examines how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is represented in the UK media 📄
Read more 👇 www.law.ox.ac.uk/echr
@ox.ac.uk @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social
Read more 👇 www.law.ox.ac.uk/echr
@ox.ac.uk @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
A new report from the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford examines how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is represented in the UK media 📄
Read more 👇 www.law.ox.ac.uk/echr
@ox.ac.uk @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social
Read more 👇 www.law.ox.ac.uk/echr
@ox.ac.uk @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social
Reposted by Josie Fathers
'Analysis revealed frequent misreporting of immigration tribunal cases, as well as mischaracterisations of the UK’s system of immigration appeals and the role played by the ECHR in this context.'
A new report from the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford examines how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is represented in the UK media 📄
Read more 👇 www.law.ox.ac.uk/echr
@ox.ac.uk @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social
Read more 👇 www.law.ox.ac.uk/echr
@ox.ac.uk @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 11:23 AM
'Analysis revealed frequent misreporting of immigration tribunal cases, as well as mischaracterisations of the UK’s system of immigration appeals and the role played by the ECHR in this context.'
Reposted by Josie Fathers
The #LALY25 judges award for ⭐️⭐️Outstanding Achievement ⭐️⭐️- sponsored by Matrix Chambers – goes to Stephanie Harrison KC @gardencourtlaw
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/barrister/st...
She starts by thanking the crowd and the awards, saying this is the award that matters most
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/barrister/st...
She starts by thanking the crowd and the awards, saying this is the award that matters most
Stephanie Harrison KC | Garden Court Chambers
Stephanie Harrison KC is a leading public law barrister. Her multi-disciplinary practice spans the breadth of public law and civil liberties and includes cases arising from unlawful detention, nationa...
gardencourtchambers.co.uk
July 4, 2025 at 7:43 PM
The #LALY25 judges award for ⭐️⭐️Outstanding Achievement ⭐️⭐️- sponsored by Matrix Chambers – goes to Stephanie Harrison KC @gardencourtlaw
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/barrister/st...
She starts by thanking the crowd and the awards, saying this is the award that matters most
gardencourtchambers.co.uk/barrister/st...
She starts by thanking the crowd and the awards, saying this is the award that matters most
@stolenride.bsky.social my partner’s bike was stolen between 8-10pm this evening outside Westfield (1 Endeavour Square) - photo of bike below
May 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
@stolenride.bsky.social my partner’s bike was stolen between 8-10pm this evening outside Westfield (1 Endeavour Square) - photo of bike below
Reposted by Josie Fathers
I'm proud to be a member of @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social alongside some incredibly talented and dedicated barristers. But it is wrong and it undermines the rule of law to attack a set of chambers for the clients some members represent.
May 1, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I'm proud to be a member of @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social alongside some incredibly talented and dedicated barristers. But it is wrong and it undermines the rule of law to attack a set of chambers for the clients some members represent.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
As you might have guessed, the article is actually an attempted hit job on us collectively. There's a serious point here, made very well by @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social in this article: open.substack.com/pub/rozenber...
A cell of left-wing activists?
Or a group of professionals representing their clients
open.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 8:31 AM
As you might have guessed, the article is actually an attempted hit job on us collectively. There's a serious point here, made very well by @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social in this article: open.substack.com/pub/rozenber...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
The Spectator on @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social:
'…lawyers of undoubted intellect and skill…’
‘…idealists, gifted advocates and politically passionate…’
‘…radically effective…’
‘…no doubting the skill or zeal…’
‘…Garden Court racks up victories…’
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
'…lawyers of undoubted intellect and skill…’
‘…idealists, gifted advocates and politically passionate…’
‘…radically effective…’
‘…no doubting the skill or zeal…’
‘…Garden Court racks up victories…’
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The radical barristers who really lay down the law in Britain
The facade of Garden Court Chambers in Lincoln’s Inn Fields is reassuringly traditional. The barristers who work there occupy buildings which were once home to the Earl of Sandwich and the Tory prime ...
www.spectator.co.uk
May 1, 2025 at 8:24 AM
The Spectator on @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social:
'…lawyers of undoubted intellect and skill…’
‘…idealists, gifted advocates and politically passionate…’
‘…radically effective…’
‘…no doubting the skill or zeal…’
‘…Garden Court racks up victories…’
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
'…lawyers of undoubted intellect and skill…’
‘…idealists, gifted advocates and politically passionate…’
‘…radically effective…’
‘…no doubting the skill or zeal…’
‘…Garden Court racks up victories…’
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
Reposted by Josie Fathers
6) the wider context of the Tories doxxing immigration lawyers is a backhanded swipe at Starmer (a lawyer) and the kind of far right populist bullying that has already led to attempts to kill and maim immigration lawyers and asylum seekers. Jenrick should be ashamed of himself.
April 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
6) the wider context of the Tories doxxing immigration lawyers is a backhanded swipe at Starmer (a lawyer) and the kind of far right populist bullying that has already led to attempts to kill and maim immigration lawyers and asylum seekers. Jenrick should be ashamed of himself.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
5) I am not personally close friends with Greg or anything, but you can't be an immigration lawyer and not know of the absolutely sterling high quality of his work and of his generosity with his time and skills. He is funny and acerbic and he is a role model for many.
April 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
5) I am not personally close friends with Greg or anything, but you can't be an immigration lawyer and not know of the absolutely sterling high quality of his work and of his generosity with his time and skills. He is funny and acerbic and he is a role model for many.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
4) For someone like Greg, being a part time judge is a form of public service. He's earning less than he might doing other work when he's sitting as a judge, but when top lawyers sit as judges we are lucky to have their expertise contributing to the protection and development of the law.
April 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
4) For someone like Greg, being a part time judge is a form of public service. He's earning less than he might doing other work when he's sitting as a judge, but when top lawyers sit as judges we are lucky to have their expertise contributing to the protection and development of the law.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
3) Judges are recruited from a wide cross section of society. There are immigration judges who were Home Office employees before they became judges and there are immigration judges who have only represented individual immigration claimants in the past. That doesn't mean they won't apply the law.
April 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
3) Judges are recruited from a wide cross section of society. There are immigration judges who were Home Office employees before they became judges and there are immigration judges who have only represented individual immigration claimants in the past. That doesn't mean they won't apply the law.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
2) When a lawyer becomes a judge they are from then on expected to present appropriately in their public communications. But that doesn't mean they can never in their lives have expressed a political opinion. Greg only recently became a judge and these tweets are more than 10 years old mostly.
April 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
2) When a lawyer becomes a judge they are from then on expected to present appropriately in their public communications. But that doesn't mean they can never in their lives have expressed a political opinion. Greg only recently became a judge and these tweets are more than 10 years old mostly.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
1) When politicians and the media pick on judges like this it is simply bullying, because the judge is not permitted to respond or defend themselves. If Greg (an exceptionally bright, articulate and generous-spirited lawyer) could he would *wipe the floor* with a disingenuous weasel like Jenrick.
April 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
1) When politicians and the media pick on judges like this it is simply bullying, because the judge is not permitted to respond or defend themselves. If Greg (an exceptionally bright, articulate and generous-spirited lawyer) could he would *wipe the floor* with a disingenuous weasel like Jenrick.
Reposted by Josie Fathers
I have seen that Jenrick, the Times and Daily Mail have been targeting expert immigration lawyer Greg Ó Ceallaigh KC, who is also a part time immigration judge (a deputy Upper Tribunal judge). A couple of quick points about the misinformation involved in this.
April 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I have seen that Jenrick, the Times and Daily Mail have been targeting expert immigration lawyer Greg Ó Ceallaigh KC, who is also a part time immigration judge (a deputy Upper Tribunal judge). A couple of quick points about the misinformation involved in this.