@samfowles.bsky.social
The Supreme Court has issued a dramatic new judgment on the Freedom of Information Act - in a 3-2 split amongst the court.
I acted for the Editor of @theecologist.org, Brendan Montague, supported by @globaljusticenow.bsky.social
Read my round-up of the case here: www.39essex.com/information-...
I acted for the Editor of @theecologist.org, Brendan Montague, supported by @globaljusticenow.bsky.social
Read my round-up of the case here: www.39essex.com/information-...
July 23, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The Supreme Court has issued a dramatic new judgment on the Freedom of Information Act - in a 3-2 split amongst the court.
I acted for the Editor of @theecologist.org, Brendan Montague, supported by @globaljusticenow.bsky.social
Read my round-up of the case here: www.39essex.com/information-...
I acted for the Editor of @theecologist.org, Brendan Montague, supported by @globaljusticenow.bsky.social
Read my round-up of the case here: www.39essex.com/information-...
The Chief Magistrate has dismissed a challenge to Soho's first new gin distillery in a century. The Court held the "Soho Society"s challenge (on alleged safety issues with distilling) failed because distilling is not a licensable activity and is regulated by a separate scheme.
tinyurl.com/55wzmker
tinyurl.com/55wzmker
June 16, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The Chief Magistrate has dismissed a challenge to Soho's first new gin distillery in a century. The Court held the "Soho Society"s challenge (on alleged safety issues with distilling) failed because distilling is not a licensable activity and is regulated by a separate scheme.
tinyurl.com/55wzmker
tinyurl.com/55wzmker
Political lying is undermining our democracy - I discussed why, and how the Welsh Senedd proposal to sanction political liars can be a solution with @jennifernadel.bsky.social Adam Price MS and ABC's Michelle Ainsworth
Listen here: shows.acast.com/truth-trust-...
Listen here: shows.acast.com/truth-trust-...
May 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Political lying is undermining our democracy - I discussed why, and how the Welsh Senedd proposal to sanction political liars can be a solution with @jennifernadel.bsky.social Adam Price MS and ABC's Michelle Ainsworth
Listen here: shows.acast.com/truth-trust-...
Listen here: shows.acast.com/truth-trust-...
Fantastic to discuss my constitutional law cases and how to save British democracy (and my book "Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases) with @johnnicolson.bsky.social at the @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words.
Read more: tinyurl.com/fznd4fpw
Read more: tinyurl.com/fznd4fpw
May 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Fantastic to discuss my constitutional law cases and how to save British democracy (and my book "Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases) with @johnnicolson.bsky.social at the @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words.
Read more: tinyurl.com/fznd4fpw
Read more: tinyurl.com/fznd4fpw
My book, "Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases, warned of a democratic recession. Unfortunately events proved me correct.
But democracy is still in the game, we can and must restore it. Join me as I discuss how to do it with @johnnicolson.bsky.social tinyurl.com/yph8up8p
But democracy is still in the game, we can and must restore it. Join me as I discuss how to do it with @johnnicolson.bsky.social tinyurl.com/yph8up8p
May 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
My book, "Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases, warned of a democratic recession. Unfortunately events proved me correct.
But democracy is still in the game, we can and must restore it. Join me as I discuss how to do it with @johnnicolson.bsky.social tinyurl.com/yph8up8p
But democracy is still in the game, we can and must restore it. Join me as I discuss how to do it with @johnnicolson.bsky.social tinyurl.com/yph8up8p
Democracy and the rule of law are both in retreat across the West.
But aren't dead yet.
I'll be discussing how to save democracy with John Nicolson at @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words on 16 May.
Followers of my socials can get 50% off with the code FOW50
tinyurl.com/9b3xudez
But aren't dead yet.
I'll be discussing how to save democracy with John Nicolson at @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words on 16 May.
Followers of my socials can get 50% off with the code FOW50
tinyurl.com/9b3xudez
May 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Democracy and the rule of law are both in retreat across the West.
But aren't dead yet.
I'll be discussing how to save democracy with John Nicolson at @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words on 16 May.
Followers of my socials can get 50% off with the code FOW50
tinyurl.com/9b3xudez
But aren't dead yet.
I'll be discussing how to save democracy with John Nicolson at @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words on 16 May.
Followers of my socials can get 50% off with the code FOW50
tinyurl.com/9b3xudez
Can "public morals" be a basis for environmental protection?
According to a WTO Panel - yes!
Important authority for how post-Brexit UK (tied up in a network of restrictive TIA) can still regulate to protect the environment.
www.ejiltalk.org/the-right-to...
#environmentallaw #internationallaw
According to a WTO Panel - yes!
Important authority for how post-Brexit UK (tied up in a network of restrictive TIA) can still regulate to protect the environment.
www.ejiltalk.org/the-right-to...
#environmentallaw #internationallaw
April 15, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Can "public morals" be a basis for environmental protection?
According to a WTO Panel - yes!
Important authority for how post-Brexit UK (tied up in a network of restrictive TIA) can still regulate to protect the environment.
www.ejiltalk.org/the-right-to...
#environmentallaw #internationallaw
According to a WTO Panel - yes!
Important authority for how post-Brexit UK (tied up in a network of restrictive TIA) can still regulate to protect the environment.
www.ejiltalk.org/the-right-to...
#environmentallaw #internationallaw
Great to join @jennifernadel.bsky.social of @compinpolitics.bsky.social at the Malvern Festival of Ideas to discuss how the rise of political lying has facilitated the rise of the far right and how we can stop it. (And sign some copies of "Overruled!")
March 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Great to join @jennifernadel.bsky.social of @compinpolitics.bsky.social at the Malvern Festival of Ideas to discuss how the rise of political lying has facilitated the rise of the far right and how we can stop it. (And sign some copies of "Overruled!")
Our democracy is under threat because capitalism is in crisis.
Looking forward to joining @JenniferNadel of @CompInPolitics to discuss “Capitalism, Democracy, and Bullshit” on Sunday at the @MalvernFI.
Some tics still available!
www.malvernfestivalofideas.org.uk/session/capi...
Looking forward to joining @JenniferNadel of @CompInPolitics to discuss “Capitalism, Democracy, and Bullshit” on Sunday at the @MalvernFI.
Some tics still available!
www.malvernfestivalofideas.org.uk/session/capi...
March 7, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Our democracy is under threat because capitalism is in crisis.
Looking forward to joining @JenniferNadel of @CompInPolitics to discuss “Capitalism, Democracy, and Bullshit” on Sunday at the @MalvernFI.
Some tics still available!
www.malvernfestivalofideas.org.uk/session/capi...
Looking forward to joining @JenniferNadel of @CompInPolitics to discuss “Capitalism, Democracy, and Bullshit” on Sunday at the @MalvernFI.
Some tics still available!
www.malvernfestivalofideas.org.uk/session/capi...
Politicians posturing about the Sentencing Council Guidelines are (intentionally or not)
promoting the far-right "two-tier justice" conspiracy theory.
The FR want voters to believe that BAME get secret advantages so they can justify their anti-minority politics. Politicians should call them out.
promoting the far-right "two-tier justice" conspiracy theory.
The FR want voters to believe that BAME get secret advantages so they can justify their anti-minority politics. Politicians should call them out.
March 6, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Politicians posturing about the Sentencing Council Guidelines are (intentionally or not)
promoting the far-right "two-tier justice" conspiracy theory.
The FR want voters to believe that BAME get secret advantages so they can justify their anti-minority politics. Politicians should call them out.
promoting the far-right "two-tier justice" conspiracy theory.
The FR want voters to believe that BAME get secret advantages so they can justify their anti-minority politics. Politicians should call them out.
Politicians are misleading the public about the Sentencing Council guidelines.
The SCG says ALL defendants facing prison should have a PSR unless it's unnecessary.
BAME people are statistically more likely to receive harsher sentences for the same crimes. So PSR is likely to be necessary.
The SCG says ALL defendants facing prison should have a PSR unless it's unnecessary.
BAME people are statistically more likely to receive harsher sentences for the same crimes. So PSR is likely to be necessary.
March 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Politicians are misleading the public about the Sentencing Council guidelines.
The SCG says ALL defendants facing prison should have a PSR unless it's unnecessary.
BAME people are statistically more likely to receive harsher sentences for the same crimes. So PSR is likely to be necessary.
The SCG says ALL defendants facing prison should have a PSR unless it's unnecessary.
BAME people are statistically more likely to receive harsher sentences for the same crimes. So PSR is likely to be necessary.
Here is the excerpt from the report which *precisely* recommends criminal sanction. Senedd counsel confirmed this.
The story makes clear an administrative tribunal (along the lines of the ICDR Model) rec for MS. Guardian and Times reported in the same terms. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The story makes clear an administrative tribunal (along the lines of the ICDR Model) rec for MS. Guardian and Times reported in the same terms. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
February 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Here is the excerpt from the report which *precisely* recommends criminal sanction. Senedd counsel confirmed this.
The story makes clear an administrative tribunal (along the lines of the ICDR Model) rec for MS. Guardian and Times reported in the same terms. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The story makes clear an administrative tribunal (along the lines of the ICDR Model) rec for MS. Guardian and Times reported in the same terms. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
2. The Committee, in essence, adopted the ICDR Model for Senedd members:
It recommended that members who make false statements of fact must be instructed to correct the record or face losing their office.
It recommended that members who make false statements of fact must be instructed to correct the record or face losing their office.
February 22, 2025 at 11:22 AM
2. The Committee, in essence, adopted the ICDR Model for Senedd members:
It recommended that members who make false statements of fact must be instructed to correct the record or face losing their office.
It recommended that members who make false statements of fact must be instructed to correct the record or face losing their office.
There has (ironically) been misinformation about the recommendations of the Senedd Committee report on political honesty. I set the record straight this week.
Short 🧵
1. The Committee recommend criminalising politicians who make false statement of fact during election campaigns.
Short 🧵
1. The Committee recommend criminalising politicians who make false statement of fact during election campaigns.
February 22, 2025 at 11:22 AM
There has (ironically) been misinformation about the recommendations of the Senedd Committee report on political honesty. I set the record straight this week.
Short 🧵
1. The Committee recommend criminalising politicians who make false statement of fact during election campaigns.
Short 🧵
1. The Committee recommend criminalising politicians who make false statement of fact during election campaigns.
The Lady Chief Justice was right to say that politicians shouldn't publicly attack judges.
Parliament makes law but, once made, it applies equally to everyone and is applied by judges. It's very worrying that politicians are now trying to influence how the *independent* courts decide cases.
Parliament makes law but, once made, it applies equally to everyone and is applied by judges. It's very worrying that politicians are now trying to influence how the *independent* courts decide cases.
February 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
The Lady Chief Justice was right to say that politicians shouldn't publicly attack judges.
Parliament makes law but, once made, it applies equally to everyone and is applied by judges. It's very worrying that politicians are now trying to influence how the *independent* courts decide cases.
Parliament makes law but, once made, it applies equally to everyone and is applied by judges. It's very worrying that politicians are now trying to influence how the *independent* courts decide cases.
"Populists" want people to believe that, court rulings in favour of asylum seekers, sets "asylum seekers' rights vs British people's rights".
It's the opposite. Protecting the human rights of one is protecting the human rights of all.
Populist's real goal is to make people give up their freedom.
It's the opposite. Protecting the human rights of one is protecting the human rights of all.
Populist's real goal is to make people give up their freedom.
February 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"Populists" want people to believe that, court rulings in favour of asylum seekers, sets "asylum seekers' rights vs British people's rights".
It's the opposite. Protecting the human rights of one is protecting the human rights of all.
Populist's real goal is to make people give up their freedom.
It's the opposite. Protecting the human rights of one is protecting the human rights of all.
Populist's real goal is to make people give up their freedom.
3. It's in honest politicians' interests to vote for this.
Extremists and the far-right, more than anyone, benefit from the degradation of our public debate.
Trust in politicians is at its lowest level in history and more than two-thirds of the public support sanctioning lying politicians.
Extremists and the far-right, more than anyone, benefit from the degradation of our public debate.
Trust in politicians is at its lowest level in history and more than two-thirds of the public support sanctioning lying politicians.
February 19, 2025 at 10:02 AM
3. It's in honest politicians' interests to vote for this.
Extremists and the far-right, more than anyone, benefit from the degradation of our public debate.
Trust in politicians is at its lowest level in history and more than two-thirds of the public support sanctioning lying politicians.
Extremists and the far-right, more than anyone, benefit from the degradation of our public debate.
Trust in politicians is at its lowest level in history and more than two-thirds of the public support sanctioning lying politicians.
2. The Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research (ICDR) proposes a two-stage process:
a. If a tribunal rules a politician has made a false statement of fact they must correct the record.
b. If they refused, they have shown an intention to deliberately deceive so should be sanctioned.
a. If a tribunal rules a politician has made a false statement of fact they must correct the record.
b. If they refused, they have shown an intention to deliberately deceive so should be sanctioned.
February 19, 2025 at 9:59 AM
2. The Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research (ICDR) proposes a two-stage process:
a. If a tribunal rules a politician has made a false statement of fact they must correct the record.
b. If they refused, they have shown an intention to deliberately deceive so should be sanctioned.
a. If a tribunal rules a politician has made a false statement of fact they must correct the record.
b. If they refused, they have shown an intention to deliberately deceive so should be sanctioned.
Could lying politicians finally be held to account?
Today the Senedd Standards Committee published its report essentially adopting the ICDR Model for a "truth law" to sanction politicians who deliberately lie to the public.
Short 🧵:
1. A truthful public debate is essential for democracy.
Today the Senedd Standards Committee published its report essentially adopting the ICDR Model for a "truth law" to sanction politicians who deliberately lie to the public.
Short 🧵:
1. A truthful public debate is essential for democracy.
February 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Could lying politicians finally be held to account?
Today the Senedd Standards Committee published its report essentially adopting the ICDR Model for a "truth law" to sanction politicians who deliberately lie to the public.
Short 🧵:
1. A truthful public debate is essential for democracy.
Today the Senedd Standards Committee published its report essentially adopting the ICDR Model for a "truth law" to sanction politicians who deliberately lie to the public.
Short 🧵:
1. A truthful public debate is essential for democracy.
AI is dangerous because AI is designed by humans. It replicates our prejudices and flaws on a post-industrial scale (as the UK's disastrous use in immigration showed).
This doesn't mean we shouldn't embrace its potential. But we need real regulation, not just of AI , but of the people behind it.
This doesn't mean we shouldn't embrace its potential. But we need real regulation, not just of AI , but of the people behind it.
February 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
AI is dangerous because AI is designed by humans. It replicates our prejudices and flaws on a post-industrial scale (as the UK's disastrous use in immigration showed).
This doesn't mean we shouldn't embrace its potential. But we need real regulation, not just of AI , but of the people behind it.
This doesn't mean we shouldn't embrace its potential. But we need real regulation, not just of AI , but of the people behind it.
Honoured that my legal advice on the UK's legal duties re. Gaza was discussed in Parliament in yesterday's Westminster Hall debate.
@globaljusticenow.bsky.social has made my full advice available online www.globaljustice.org.uk/wp-content/u...
@globaljusticenow.bsky.social has made my full advice available online www.globaljustice.org.uk/wp-content/u...
February 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Honoured that my legal advice on the UK's legal duties re. Gaza was discussed in Parliament in yesterday's Westminster Hall debate.
@globaljusticenow.bsky.social has made my full advice available online www.globaljustice.org.uk/wp-content/u...
@globaljusticenow.bsky.social has made my full advice available online www.globaljustice.org.uk/wp-content/u...
UK court today overturned the govt's decision to return two child asylum seekers to Gaza. The court relied on the fundamental right to family life and the exceptional risk to the children in Gaza.
Today I argued that the court protected basic humanity, not just fundamental rights.
#refugees #gaza
Today I argued that the court protected basic humanity, not just fundamental rights.
#refugees #gaza
February 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
It’s all very well to say “we’ll only get rid of jury trials for ‘intermediate’ offences”.
If you’re wrongly accused or a victim of an “intermediate” offence (eg drugs offences) - it’s still life altering.
Gov shouldn’t be deciding which crimes are serious enough for a fair hearing.
If you’re wrongly accused or a victim of an “intermediate” offence (eg drugs offences) - it’s still life altering.
Gov shouldn’t be deciding which crimes are serious enough for a fair hearing.
December 18, 2024 at 2:37 PM
It’s all very well to say “we’ll only get rid of jury trials for ‘intermediate’ offences”.
If you’re wrongly accused or a victim of an “intermediate” offence (eg drugs offences) - it’s still life altering.
Gov shouldn’t be deciding which crimes are serious enough for a fair hearing.
If you’re wrongly accused or a victim of an “intermediate” offence (eg drugs offences) - it’s still life altering.
Gov shouldn’t be deciding which crimes are serious enough for a fair hearing.
Jury trial is the ultimate bulwark for the citizen against the state.
When, in the UK, the last government abused the law to crack down on peaceful protest, juries refused to convict in key cases (eg the Colston 4).
Losing jury trials = losing a key protection against authoritarian ministers
When, in the UK, the last government abused the law to crack down on peaceful protest, juries refused to convict in key cases (eg the Colston 4).
Losing jury trials = losing a key protection against authoritarian ministers
December 17, 2024 at 3:40 PM
Jury trial is the ultimate bulwark for the citizen against the state.
When, in the UK, the last government abused the law to crack down on peaceful protest, juries refused to convict in key cases (eg the Colston 4).
Losing jury trials = losing a key protection against authoritarian ministers
When, in the UK, the last government abused the law to crack down on peaceful protest, juries refused to convict in key cases (eg the Colston 4).
Losing jury trials = losing a key protection against authoritarian ministers
Taking away the right to trial by jury won't solve the court backlog.
The courts budget has been cut by 30% since 2010.
Solving the backlog is easy: Open the courts they've closed. Recruit judges.
Citizens shouldn't have to pay for politicians' bad decisions with our fundamental rights.
The courts budget has been cut by 30% since 2010.
Solving the backlog is easy: Open the courts they've closed. Recruit judges.
Citizens shouldn't have to pay for politicians' bad decisions with our fundamental rights.
December 17, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Taking away the right to trial by jury won't solve the court backlog.
The courts budget has been cut by 30% since 2010.
Solving the backlog is easy: Open the courts they've closed. Recruit judges.
Citizens shouldn't have to pay for politicians' bad decisions with our fundamental rights.
The courts budget has been cut by 30% since 2010.
Solving the backlog is easy: Open the courts they've closed. Recruit judges.
Citizens shouldn't have to pay for politicians' bad decisions with our fundamental rights.