Not that the Leader of the Free World is a deranged, unstable, egotistical thug, but:
October 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Not that the Leader of the Free World is a deranged, unstable, egotistical thug, but:
There's argument in favour of ECtHR recalibrating caselaw by progressively limiting scope of qualified rights when issues are not considered to lie at core of the right. ECHR should be more forcefully leveraged as framework of fundamental freedoms targeting arbitrary use of state power: Robert Spano
October 8, 2025 at 10:38 AM
There's argument in favour of ECtHR recalibrating caselaw by progressively limiting scope of qualified rights when issues are not considered to lie at core of the right. ECHR should be more forcefully leveraged as framework of fundamental freedoms targeting arbitrary use of state power: Robert Spano
There is simply no factual or substantive nexus between the ECHR and the cadence of boats illegally arriving on the shores of this country. Article 8 does not preclude the UK from expelling foreign criminals and any limitations imposed can only apply in really exceptional circumstances: Robert Spano
October 8, 2025 at 10:24 AM
There is simply no factual or substantive nexus between the ECHR and the cadence of boats illegally arriving on the shores of this country. Article 8 does not preclude the UK from expelling foreign criminals and any limitations imposed can only apply in really exceptional circumstances: Robert Spano
"Now, more than ever, ECHR’s guarantees against dangers of unrestrained and oppressive majoritarianism are needed. There is no question the fundamental freedoms embedded in ECHR continue to be worth fighting for, and calls in to withdraw from ECHR system are unprincipled and unwise": Robert Spano
October 7, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"Now, more than ever, ECHR’s guarantees against dangers of unrestrained and oppressive majoritarianism are needed. There is no question the fundamental freedoms embedded in ECHR continue to be worth fighting for, and calls in to withdraw from ECHR system are unprincipled and unwise": Robert Spano
"We must reconsider a purely individualistic rights-based model of human rights law and attempt to progressively revert back to its genesis as a framework of human freedoms, constraining arbitrary and oppressive government power, also encompassing individual duties & responsibilities": Robert Spano
October 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
"We must reconsider a purely individualistic rights-based model of human rights law and attempt to progressively revert back to its genesis as a framework of human freedoms, constraining arbitrary and oppressive government power, also encompassing individual duties & responsibilities": Robert Spano
"Human rights, as a political and moral value system, is losing ground. One fears a hurricane of horrors might be brewing. It may be a tropical storm at present, but rapid intensification into Category 4 or 5 is by no means unlikely": Robert Spano, ex-president of the European Court of Human Rights.
October 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
"Human rights, as a political and moral value system, is losing ground. One fears a hurricane of horrors might be brewing. It may be a tropical storm at present, but rapid intensification into Category 4 or 5 is by no means unlikely": Robert Spano, ex-president of the European Court of Human Rights.
Nothing sinister at all.
October 7, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Nothing sinister at all.
Delighted to chair the Human Rights Lawyers Association's brilliant Inaugural Annual Lecture last week, delivered by the phenomenal Robert Spano, with a reply from the legendary Baroness Hale.
Huge thanks to the speakers, and to everyone who joined us.
Huge thanks to the speakers, and to everyone who joined us.
October 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Delighted to chair the Human Rights Lawyers Association's brilliant Inaugural Annual Lecture last week, delivered by the phenomenal Robert Spano, with a reply from the legendary Baroness Hale.
Huge thanks to the speakers, and to everyone who joined us.
Huge thanks to the speakers, and to everyone who joined us.
Wonderful evening to celebrate 200 years of the Law Society with lots of amazing colleagues.
October 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Wonderful evening to celebrate 200 years of the Law Society with lots of amazing colleagues.
The hatemonger Rupert Lowe MP wrote a whiny letter to @thebarcouncil.bsky.social complaining about the Black Interns scheme.
Well done Bar Council and Bar Chair for this robust response.
Well done Bar Council and Bar Chair for this robust response.
September 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The hatemonger Rupert Lowe MP wrote a whiny letter to @thebarcouncil.bsky.social complaining about the Black Interns scheme.
Well done Bar Council and Bar Chair for this robust response.
Well done Bar Council and Bar Chair for this robust response.
This is what the government has been saying about eVisas. So, why do we need digital IDs?
Every time they come up with yet another idea to monitor us and further control our lives, they claim this one is the panacea for all our problems.
Every time they come up with yet another idea to monitor us and further control our lives, they claim this one is the panacea for all our problems.
September 27, 2025 at 8:37 AM
This is what the government has been saying about eVisas. So, why do we need digital IDs?
Every time they come up with yet another idea to monitor us and further control our lives, they claim this one is the panacea for all our problems.
Every time they come up with yet another idea to monitor us and further control our lives, they claim this one is the panacea for all our problems.
Digital IDs are a terrible, dangerous idea for numerous reasons.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
September 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Digital IDs are a terrible, dangerous idea for numerous reasons.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
But, even on their own terms, what's the gap they're supposed to fill?
It seems many people don't realise that we already have eVisas. All migrants get this "digital record" of their status and permission anyway.
If you were missing the good old "Migrants Are Eating Our Pets" headlines.
September 24, 2025 at 8:55 AM
If you were missing the good old "Migrants Are Eating Our Pets" headlines.
No, I don't think they are, actually.
September 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
No, I don't think they are, actually.
This takes one back. An ECtHR decision about prisoner voting in the UK.
ECtHR: Considering seriousness of offending, risk posed to public and imposition of harsh sentence of indeterminate detention, restriction on rapist's right to vote in 2019 UK general election did not breach his human rights.
ECtHR: Considering seriousness of offending, risk posed to public and imposition of harsh sentence of indeterminate detention, restriction on rapist's right to vote in 2019 UK general election did not breach his human rights.
September 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM
This takes one back. An ECtHR decision about prisoner voting in the UK.
ECtHR: Considering seriousness of offending, risk posed to public and imposition of harsh sentence of indeterminate detention, restriction on rapist's right to vote in 2019 UK general election did not breach his human rights.
ECtHR: Considering seriousness of offending, risk posed to public and imposition of harsh sentence of indeterminate detention, restriction on rapist's right to vote in 2019 UK general election did not breach his human rights.
September 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
A rare ray of hope and humanity in a world of despair and death.
September 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
A rare ray of hope and humanity in a world of despair and death.
Following the high court yesterday blocking a man's removal to France while a reconsideration of his modern slavery claim was carried out, the Home Office has changed the rules overnight.
Such people will no longer be allowed to request a reconsideration if their claim is refused.
Such people will no longer be allowed to request a reconsideration if their claim is refused.
September 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Following the high court yesterday blocking a man's removal to France while a reconsideration of his modern slavery claim was carried out, the Home Office has changed the rules overnight.
Such people will no longer be allowed to request a reconsideration if their claim is refused.
Such people will no longer be allowed to request a reconsideration if their claim is refused.
Our judiciary's unparalleled reputation is essential to our economic growth. Worrying tendency recently to attack the judiciary and portray it as partisan. Attacks not just by the media but by politicians, including in Parliament, which would have been unbelievable a few years ago: AG
September 17, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Our judiciary's unparalleled reputation is essential to our economic growth. Worrying tendency recently to attack the judiciary and portray it as partisan. Attacks not just by the media but by politicians, including in Parliament, which would have been unbelievable a few years ago: AG
"The previous government was willing to sacrifice our good standing in the world by trumpeting a willingness to break international law commitments. This Government has restored that reputation by making clear that we uphold our international obligations": Attorney General at Old Bailey yesterday.
September 17, 2025 at 7:35 AM
"The previous government was willing to sacrifice our good standing in the world by trumpeting a willingness to break international law commitments. This Government has restored that reputation by making clear that we uphold our international obligations": Attorney General at Old Bailey yesterday.
"The rule of law is the silent partner in every contract signed, every investment made and every job created. Where rule of law is arbitrary, markets wither. And when rights are not protected, it is ordinary people, workers, families, who suffer the most": Attorney General Lord Hermer KC.
September 17, 2025 at 7:22 AM
"The rule of law is the silent partner in every contract signed, every investment made and every job created. Where rule of law is arbitrary, markets wither. And when rights are not protected, it is ordinary people, workers, families, who suffer the most": Attorney General Lord Hermer KC.
Hearing the shocking and deeply saddening news that the legendary Conor Gearty has died.
A force of nature. A brilliant lawyer and academic, and an even more wonderful person. Warm, funny, passionate, inspiring.
Farewell, Professor Conor Gearty KC (Hon). You will be missed by many.
A force of nature. A brilliant lawyer and academic, and an even more wonderful person. Warm, funny, passionate, inspiring.
Farewell, Professor Conor Gearty KC (Hon). You will be missed by many.
September 12, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Hearing the shocking and deeply saddening news that the legendary Conor Gearty has died.
A force of nature. A brilliant lawyer and academic, and an even more wonderful person. Warm, funny, passionate, inspiring.
Farewell, Professor Conor Gearty KC (Hon). You will be missed by many.
A force of nature. A brilliant lawyer and academic, and an even more wonderful person. Warm, funny, passionate, inspiring.
Farewell, Professor Conor Gearty KC (Hon). You will be missed by many.
Exhibit 1 in Prosecutor v. Keir Rodney Starmer, Case No. ICC-10/23-01/26, Warrant of Arrest.
September 10, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Exhibit 1 in Prosecutor v. Keir Rodney Starmer, Case No. ICC-10/23-01/26, Warrant of Arrest.
Just so people don't get the false impression that the government does censor critics, the government has censored the critical artwork that highlighted how the government censors critics.
The Banksy has been scrubbed.
The Banksy has been scrubbed.
September 10, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Just so people don't get the false impression that the government does censor critics, the government has censored the critical artwork that highlighted how the government censors critics.
The Banksy has been scrubbed.
The Banksy has been scrubbed.