Richard Moorhead
@richardmoorhead.bsky.social
Law prof in UK, and Australia (Exeter and Monash). Empirical and conceptual work on lawyers regulation and ethics. Especially the Post Office and all who billed her. Horizon Compensation Advisory Board. Plastic Geordie. Novice cello player
Pinned
Spaundau Bolly
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
Can Carter Ruck and Mohamed Amersi stop SRA investigating overly aggressive litigation behaviour? Yes, no, maybe (probably not but...)
A ruckus about rights
Carter-Ruck is challenging, along with its client, Mohamed Amersi, the SRA's powers to see privileged documents. Neil Rose of legalfutures has a good story on it here. Image by christianesteve from Pixabay The background is Mr Amersi brought a libel action against ex-Conservative MP Charlotte Leslie that was said to be abusive and a SLAPP. He claimed at the time:
lawyerwatch.wordpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Can Carter Ruck and Mohamed Amersi stop SRA investigating overly aggressive litigation behaviour? Yes, no, maybe (probably not but...)
Can Carter Ruck and Mohamed Amersi stop SRA investigating overly aggressive litigation behaviour? Yes, no, maybe (probably not but...)
A ruckus about rights
Carter-Ruck is challenging, along with its client, Mohamed Amersi, the SRA's powers to see privileged documents. Neil Rose of legalfutures has a good story on it here. Image by christianesteve from Pixabay The background is Mr Amersi brought a libel action against ex-Conservative MP Charlotte Leslie that was said to be abusive and a SLAPP. He claimed at the time:
lawyerwatch.wordpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Can Carter Ruck and Mohamed Amersi stop SRA investigating overly aggressive litigation behaviour? Yes, no, maybe (probably not but...)
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
We ate Barbara's good sandwiches at Tintern Abbey.
November 10, 2025 at 8:22 AM
We ate Barbara's good sandwiches at Tintern Abbey.
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
Michael Prescott so-called “independent” adviser to BBC was appointed by Boris johnson as “independent” adviser to Ofcom when then PM trying to get Paul Dacre job of chair. Prescott BBC report classic example in stringing together unrelated incidents into conspiracy narrative’
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Michael Prescott so-called “independent” adviser to BBC was appointed by Boris johnson as “independent” adviser to Ofcom when then PM trying to get Paul Dacre job of chair. Prescott BBC report classic example in stringing together unrelated incidents into conspiracy narrative’
Close, but no cigar
Can’t believe they didn’t even have the decency to play Cat’s wonderful song “Endgame” when she got voted off. Tim Davie and Lisa Nandy should both resign. #thetraitors
November 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Close, but no cigar
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
At the theatre we saw a comedian called Norman Collier - he was really funny.
November 8, 2025 at 10:18 AM
At the theatre we saw a comedian called Norman Collier - he was really funny.
Absolutely wild. Shameful. And only part of the story, as @samfr.bsky.social acknowledges. Criminal justice in the deepest of holes
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Absolutely wild. Shameful. And only part of the story, as @samfr.bsky.social acknowledges. Criminal justice in the deepest of holes
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
The CJEU will soon be ruling on whether this Danish housing policy is directly racially discriminatory (the Advocate-General's opinion says it is: curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...).
The UK's Home Secretary wishes to base family reunion for refugees on such a policy.
The UK's Home Secretary wishes to base family reunion for refugees on such a policy.
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The CJEU will soon be ruling on whether this Danish housing policy is directly racially discriminatory (the Advocate-General's opinion says it is: curia.europa.eu/juris/docume...).
The UK's Home Secretary wishes to base family reunion for refugees on such a policy.
The UK's Home Secretary wishes to base family reunion for refugees on such a policy.
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
‘Heroic actions are a natural tendency’: why bystander apathy is a myth
‘Heroic actions are a natural tendency’: why bystander apathy is a myth
Modern research shows the public work together selflessly in an emergency, motivated by a strong impulse to help
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:16 AM
‘Heroic actions are a natural tendency’: why bystander apathy is a myth
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
Your cat when you're choking to death in your apartment
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Your cat when you're choking to death in your apartment
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
Featuring analysis by @richardmoorhead.bsky.social from @uniexeterlawschool.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Law firms reshape ethics policies
Since Donald Trump declared war on diversity initiatives, many in-house lawyers in the UK have been quietly changing or discarding these practices
www.thetimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Featuring analysis by @richardmoorhead.bsky.social from @uniexeterlawschool.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
www.thetimes.com/uk/law/artic...
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
As my graphs the other day show the attitudes of Labour and Lib Dem on both material and cultural dimensions are extremely extremely similar now.
November 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
As my graphs the other day show the attitudes of Labour and Lib Dem on both material and cultural dimensions are extremely extremely similar now.
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
Notable in today's YouGov that the centre/left bloc - Lab/Green/LD/SNP are on 54%. With Reform/Tories on 43%. That's the biggest differential in a long time.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
November 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Notable in today's YouGov that the centre/left bloc - Lab/Green/LD/SNP are on 54%. With Reform/Tories on 43%. That's the biggest differential in a long time.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
In Birmingham. Lots of Christmas trees.
November 4, 2025 at 8:10 AM
In Birmingham. Lots of Christmas trees.
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
This is a 300-track chronologically arranged (1980-1989) extended playlist for my new book, #IntoTheGroove, still not even half the stuff that’s featured within, but it gives you an idea. Enjoy! www.tunemymusic.com/share/kQHEUO...
Into the Groove: Extended 300-Track Playlist Compiled by Justin Lewis
justlewis70 shared this playlist with you. shared via @tunemymusic
www.tunemymusic.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
⚫ #CarabaoCup defence continues 🏆
⚪ 4th QF in 4 years 🤯
⚫ Haven't trailed in a game since 2023 final 👀
⚪ Howe's ridiculous League Cup record 👑
⚫ Schar keeps producing 💪
⚪ Woltemade: 1 shot, 1 goal again ⚽
📝 #NUFC 2-0 #THFC analysis w/ @eliasburke.bsky.social: #NEWTOT www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
⚪ 4th QF in 4 years 🤯
⚫ Haven't trailed in a game since 2023 final 👀
⚪ Howe's ridiculous League Cup record 👑
⚫ Schar keeps producing 💪
⚪ Woltemade: 1 shot, 1 goal again ⚽
📝 #NUFC 2-0 #THFC analysis w/ @eliasburke.bsky.social: #NEWTOT www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Newcastle 2 Tottenham 0 – Why are Howe’s side so good in the Carabao Cup? Was opener unfair on Spence?
Analysis of Newcastle United's Carabao Cup win over Spurs
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:58 PM
⚫ #CarabaoCup defence continues 🏆
⚪ 4th QF in 4 years 🤯
⚫ Haven't trailed in a game since 2023 final 👀
⚪ Howe's ridiculous League Cup record 👑
⚫ Schar keeps producing 💪
⚪ Woltemade: 1 shot, 1 goal again ⚽
📝 #NUFC 2-0 #THFC analysis w/ @eliasburke.bsky.social: #NEWTOT www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
⚪ 4th QF in 4 years 🤯
⚫ Haven't trailed in a game since 2023 final 👀
⚪ Howe's ridiculous League Cup record 👑
⚫ Schar keeps producing 💪
⚪ Woltemade: 1 shot, 1 goal again ⚽
📝 #NUFC 2-0 #THFC analysis w/ @eliasburke.bsky.social: #NEWTOT www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Connecting Systemic Risks and International Legal Practice
Guest post by Dr Trevor Clark, Senior Lecturer at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London. Reducing the societal risk posed by the ethical misconduct of lawyers is currently a high priority item for legal profession…
Guest post by Dr Trevor Clark, Senior Lecturer at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London. Reducing the societal risk posed by the ethical misconduct of lawyers is currently a high priority item for legal profession…
Connecting Systemic Risks and International Legal Practice
Guest post by Dr Trevor Clark, Senior Lecturer at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London. Reducing the societal risk posed by the ethical misconduct of lawyers is currently a high priority item for legal profession regulators, and consequently, the legal profession itself. This follows mounting public concern at the growing number of high-profile scandals where lawyers have played a prominent role.
lawyerwatch.wordpress.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Connecting Systemic Risks and International Legal Practice
Guest post by Dr Trevor Clark, Senior Lecturer at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London. Reducing the societal risk posed by the ethical misconduct of lawyers is currently a high priority item for legal profession…
Guest post by Dr Trevor Clark, Senior Lecturer at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London. Reducing the societal risk posed by the ethical misconduct of lawyers is currently a high priority item for legal profession…
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
“Why are traumatized people so MISERABLE?”
“Too much disappointment teaches the system that ‘wanting leads to pain,’ and so it stops responding to potential rewards. … Biologically, it’s an adaptive silencing of the very circuits that make us feel alive.” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/an-i...
“Too much disappointment teaches the system that ‘wanting leads to pain,’ and so it stops responding to potential rewards. … Biologically, it’s an adaptive silencing of the very circuits that make us feel alive.” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/an-i...
How Chronic Disappointment Rewires the Brain
Chronic disappointment can train the brain to expect pain instead of reward. Restoring hope means reawakening dopamine through small actions, enriched environments, and new desire.
www.psychologytoday.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:27 PM
“Why are traumatized people so MISERABLE?”
“Too much disappointment teaches the system that ‘wanting leads to pain,’ and so it stops responding to potential rewards. … Biologically, it’s an adaptive silencing of the very circuits that make us feel alive.” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/an-i...
“Too much disappointment teaches the system that ‘wanting leads to pain,’ and so it stops responding to potential rewards. … Biologically, it’s an adaptive silencing of the very circuits that make us feel alive.” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/an-i...
Reposted by Richard Moorhead
But it is the time that is the problem. They send you this crap, you have to check, just in case you've missed anything (you haven't). You then have to tell them it is crap and explain why. Absolute waste of time.
October 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
But it is the time that is the problem. They send you this crap, you have to check, just in case you've missed anything (you haven't). You then have to tell them it is crap and explain why. Absolute waste of time.
I know things are bad but please explain Demis Roussos and Paul Nicholas to me
October 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I know things are bad but please explain Demis Roussos and Paul Nicholas to me
I gave the City of London Law Society (CLLS) lecture this week. It was a great night and I am grateful for the invitation. This is what I said... With thanks to Colin Passmore, Julie Norris, Tony Charles, Stephen Kenny KC, and Patrick McCann , amongst many people who made it happen or made it good!
Is it time for an ethical reset?
This week I gave the annual City of London Law Society lecture in Gray's Inn. Chaired by Sir Peter Gross and followed by discussants, Stephen Kenny KC and Julie Norris of Kingsley Napley. The talk is a highly abridged version of the the first two of my Hamlyn Lectures (click through to read the full text of those). The question before us tonight is: Do we need an ethical reset?
lawyerwatch.wordpress.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I gave the City of London Law Society (CLLS) lecture this week. It was a great night and I am grateful for the invitation. This is what I said... With thanks to Colin Passmore, Julie Norris, Tony Charles, Stephen Kenny KC, and Patrick McCann , amongst many people who made it happen or made it good!
Very interesting point. What looked on the face of it to be serious and obvious misconduct related to a massive fraud appears not to have been dealt with by the Bar Standards Board or the SRA. Is the right? Why if so?
⚖️ Yesterday the UK Supreme Court ruled that P&ID, the company that tried to use arbitration proceedings to extort over $11bn from Nigeria, must pay the hefty costs order against them in 🇬🇧 sterling, as opposed to 🇳🇬 naira. This could be up to £44 million.
Process & Industrial Developments Limited (Appellant) v The Federal Republic of Nigeria (Respondent) - UK Supreme Court
When, if ever, should a court make an award of costs in a foreign currency?
supremecourt.uk
October 24, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Very interesting point. What looked on the face of it to be serious and obvious misconduct related to a massive fraud appears not to have been dealt with by the Bar Standards Board or the SRA. Is the right? Why if so?
For me, the biggest issue around lawyers acting for dodgy clients is not what us sometimes suggested as some airy ethical distaste but complicity which can and should have consequences. Is Carter-Ruck's OneCoin case an example...?
NEW: Britain’s top libel firm, Carter-Ruck, acted for OneCoin - a $4bn crypto-fraud.
The firm threatened whistleblowers, journalists, regulators, and even the police.
Carter-Ruck's work helped the fraud continue as long as it did.
Was that a crime?
The firm threatened whistleblowers, journalists, regulators, and even the police.
Carter-Ruck's work helped the fraud continue as long as it did.
Was that a crime?
October 19, 2025 at 8:09 AM
For me, the biggest issue around lawyers acting for dodgy clients is not what us sometimes suggested as some airy ethical distaste but complicity which can and should have consequences. Is Carter-Ruck's OneCoin case an example...?