End of Term? University Protest Encampments and Possession Proceedings – St Philips Barristers

‘A number of protestors of the actions of the Israeli Defence Force in Palestine have occurred on university campuses both in this jurisdiction, as well as overseas. Such protests give rise to difficult balancing exercises between a university’s right to exercise their private property rights and the rights of others, particularly students to protest about causes that they are passionate about.’

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St Philips Barristers, 17th July 2024

Source: st-philips.com

Student psychotherapist wins apology over expulsion for gender-critical views – The Guardian

Posted August 16th, 2024 in education, equality, freedom of expression, gender, homosexuality, news by sally

‘A student psychotherapist who was expelled from his master’s course after expressing gender-critical views has received an apology from the training institute where he was studying.’

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The Guardian15th August 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Labour delays proposals to ban oppressive Slapps lawsuits – The Guardian

Posted July 25th, 2024 in bills, freedom of expression, news, political parties, public interest by sally

‘Labour has delayed proposals to tackle spurious lawsuits brought by oligarchs and others aimed at intimidating journalists, academics and campaigners.’

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The Guardian, 24th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Law and religion roundup – Law & Religion UK

‘Further to the notices relating to Jonathan Fletcher posted by the Diocese of Southwark and the Metropolitan Police, it is perhaps timely to include a link to the Attorney General’s Note, Contempt of court and social media.’

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Law & Religion UK, 14th July 2024

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Just Stop Oil protesters jailed after M25 blocked – BBC News

‘Five environmental activists who organised protests that brought part of the M25 to a standstill over four days have been jailed.’

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BBC News, 18th July 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Assisted dying researcher sues police over arrest – BBC News

‘A PhD student researching assisted dying is suing police for damages over her arrest after travelling with a woman from Wales who had doctors in Switzerland help to end her life.’

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BBC News, 12th July 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High court allows two UK universities to remove Gaza protest camps – The Guardian

‘Two universities in the UK have been permitted to clear student encampments from their campuses, after a judge said protesters had “no prospect” of showing that their human rights would be affected.’

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The Guardian, 10th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Birmingham University censoring student beliefs over Gaza camp evictions, court hears – The Guardian

Posted July 5th, 2024 in demonstrations, freedom of expression, human rights, Israel, news, universities by michael

‘Birmingham is one of several universities taking legal action to try to evict student protesters, with a case brought by the University of Nottingham due to be heard before the same judge on Friday.’

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The Guardian, 4th July 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Anti-protest injunctions cover more than 1,200 locations, report shows – Local Government Lawyer

Posted July 4th, 2024 in demonstrations, freedom of expression, human rights, injunctions, news by sally

‘There are more than 1,200 locations in which controversial anti-protest injunctions apply, research from the BBC has revealed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 2nd July 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Julian Assange leaves UK after striking deal with US justice department – The Guardian

Posted June 25th, 2024 in freedom of expression, guilty pleas, news, plea bargaining, spying by tracey

‘Julian Assange has been released from a British prison and is expected to plead guilty to violating US espionage law, in a deal that would allow him to return home to his native Australia.’

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The Guardian, 25th June 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Assange wins right to challenge US extradition – BBC News

Posted May 21st, 2024 in appeals, extradition, freedom of expression, news by sally

‘Wikileaks founder Julian Assange can bring a new appeal against extradition to the US, the High Court has ruled.’

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BBC News, 20th May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

SLAPPs: What are they? And how should defamation law be reformed to address them? – Journal of Media Law

Posted May 16th, 2024 in defamation, freedom of expression, news, public interest by sally

‘This article examines the need for legislative reform to address the problem of strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs), with a focus on defamation law as the most common action for such claims. It draws upon legislative and judicial approaches from a range of different jurisdictions to define the problem of SLAPPs and examines whether the existing law in England and Wales provides an adequate solution to the problem of SLAPPs. This analysis indicates some important recent developments in the law that are relevant to SLAPPs but concludes that legislative reform is necessary to address the problem of SLAPPs. In contrast to the current proposals for reform, the article proposes an anti-SLAPP provision that crystallizes and builds upon recent developments in the law, to effectively address the problem of SLAPPs without posing an unnecessary risk of the denial of innocent claims.’

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Journal of Media Law, 13th May 2024

Source: www.tandfonline.com

SRA seeks power to launch “spot checks” of law firms – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has called for the power to launch “wide-sweeping inspections” of law firms without needing the trigger of a specific allegation of misconduct.’

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Legal Futures, 8th May 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Say a prayer for Article 9? R (on the Application of TTT) v Michaela School and the question of interference – Law & Religion UK

‘The media reports of the last few months highlight how controversial and charged the decision in R (on the Application of TTT) v Michaela School [2024] EWHC 843 (Admin) is. There is much to unpack and debate about the High Court’s 83-page judgment, not least how the secular approach held to be lawful in the judgment sits with a legal framework that continues to favour Christianity in terms of laws on collective worship and the teaching of religion in school.’

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Law & Religion UK, 19th April 2024

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

SLAPP campaigners call for ‘objective’ test in new law – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 12th, 2024 in bills, defamation, freedom of expression, human rights, news by sally

‘Prominent human rights lawyers Helena Kennnedy KC and Mark Stephens are among the legal signatories to a letter calling for a simpler test for a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) in legislation aimed at curbing abusive litigation.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 11th April 2024

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Extremist Measures: The UK Government Further Obstructs the Right to Protest – Oxford Human Rights Hub

Posted April 11th, 2024 in demonstrations, freedom of expression, news, public order by sally

‘On March 1, UK Prime Minister Sunak delivered a divisive impromptu speech, much of which was spent demonising groups calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. He claimed that protests have been hijacked by Islamist extremists using “vile, antisemitic tropes” – a reference to the ambiguous phrase “from the river to the sea”– to create an unsafe and hateful atmosphere within the country. This rhetoric accompanies a sweeping government redefinition of extremism, which observers fear will be used to arbitrarily quash lawful dissent.’

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Oxford Human Rights Hub, 9th April 2024

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

CPS says it was wrong to pursue case against press photographer – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has admitted it was wrong to press on with a case against a news photographer arrested as he tried to lawfully take pictures at a crime scene.’

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The Guardian, 9th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

New UK laws to curb ‘disruptive protests’ come into force – The Independent

‘New public order powers to prevent “disruptive” protests in the UK will come into force from Friday [5th April].’

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The Independent, 5th April 2024

Source: www.independent.co.uk

BSB will not investigate barrister over misgendering trans lawyers – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has decided not to investigate a gender-critical barrister who was accused of being transphobic by misgendering two trans lawyers.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd April 2024

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Julian Assange faces further wait over extradition ruling – BBC News

Posted March 28th, 2024 in appeals, death penalty, extradition, freedom of expression, news by tracey

‘The US must assure Julian Assange has freedom of speech protections and will not receive the death penalty before he is extradited, judges have ruled. The UK High Court said the Wikileaks founder could be allowed to launch a new appeal against being sent to the US without those commitments.’

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BBC News, 27th March 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk