Christmas Break
The Inner Temple Library will be closed until 5 January 2026, after which we resume posting. See you in the new year!
Day: 19 December 2025
Perceived credibility of asylum claimants: the role of decision-maker affect and asylum seeker’s emotions – Psychology, Crime and Law
‘Perceived credibility is of key importance in refugee status decisions (RSD). The emotional demeanour of an asylum seeker and the decision-maker’s affect may inform credibility judgements throughout the RSD process. However, research exploring these factors in an asylum-seeking context is sparse. This study examined whether emotions perceived in an asylum seeker impacted credibility decisions. The role of decision-makers’ own emotional reactions (affect) on credibility decisions was also examined. Participants (N = 128) acting as asylum decision-makers watched a mock interview where an asylum seeker either displayed behaviours indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or not indicative of PTSD. Ratings of the asylum seeker’s credibility, the emotions displayed and the decision-maker’s affect were obtained alongside thematic analysis of open-ended responses. We found an emotional congruence effect; credibility ratings were higher when an asylum seeker ‘with PTSD’ showed behaviours indicating fear/distress. A novel finding was an affect heuristic driving judgements. Participants’ self-reported feelings of anger, sadness, disgust and compassion were associated with higher credibility ratings of the asylum seeker, whereas self-reporting no emotion was associated with lower ratings. Findings suggest that decision-maker affect may influence asylum credibility decisions.’
Psychology, Crime and Law, 5th December 2025
Source: www.tandfonline.com
Covid denier jailed for three years after urging armed revolt – BBC News
‘A Covid denier from south London has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison after urging people to stage an armed revolt during the pandemic.’
BBC News, 18th December 2025
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Stonewall did not induce chambers to discriminate against barrister – Legal Futures
‘The Court of Appeal has rejected a barrister’s claim that LGBT charity Stonewall “caused or induced” discrimination against her by her chambers.’
Legal Futures, 19th December 2025
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
VAT recoverability ruling underlined by Supreme Court decision – OUT-LAW.com
‘Companies which reclaimed VAT on professional fees may have to rethink their options following the final round of a long-running UK court challenge, according to experts.’
OUT-LAW.com, 18th December 2025
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
NHS worker assaulted women for sexual gratification in fake examinations – BBC News
‘A healthcare support worker has been jailed for nine years for sex assaults on two hospital patients.’
BBC News, 18th December 2025
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Chris Rowe: Human rights as ceiling: the government’s asylum reform proposals – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘When the government announces a ‘crackdown’ or some new tough policy on immigration or asylum, it is important to recognise that what this means (at most) is that migrants will be treated in accordance with the new policy unless their Convention rights require that they are treated otherwise; at most, since often when the policy is implemented there will be an explicit exemption for some groups, such as people entitled to disability benefit or the elderly. Naturally, ministers prefer not to spell this out, but it is unfortunate that 25 years after the introduction of the Human Rights Act that so many commentators, as recently shown in the response to the plans to reform aspects of the asylum system, seem unaware of (or for strategic reasons prefer not to make) this essential point.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 19th December 2025
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
Complex court processes “shut out litigants in person” – Legal Futures
‘Complex court administrative processes “increasingly function as gatekeepers to justice” and shut out litigants in person (LiPs), research has found.’
Legal Futures, 19th December 2025
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Man jailed for killing best friend with one punch – BBC News
‘A man left his “best friend” to die alone on his kitchen floor after launching a fatal alcohol and cocaine-fuelled attack on him, a court has heard.’
BBC News, 18th December 2025
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
