‘Dangerous path to go down’: four legal experts on the Post Office exoneration bill – The Guardian

‘The government’s decision to pass a law overturning the convictions of post office operators has left many lawyers and judges uneasy.’

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The Guardian, 11th January 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sammy Talalay: The Lord Chancellor, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘At the beginning of the year, this blog covered the report from the House of Lords Constitution Committee into the Lord Chancellor and the Law Officers, with Conor Casey’s post focusing in particular on the latter. This post aims to ensure that 2023 is bookended by consideration of the issues addressed in the committee’s report – and in the subsequent Lords debate on that report in July – by providing a closer look at the role of the Lord Chancellor.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 19th December 2023

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Some lawyers’ conduct poses “significant risk to the rule of law” – Legal Futures

Posted December 1st, 2023 in barristers, legal profession, news, rule of law, solicitors by sally

‘Lawyers can sometimes be “too inclined” to act unethically or use a “mistaken” adherence to an overly narrow view of the rule of law to justify questionable conduct, major new research has said.’

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Legal Futures, 1st December 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

James Milton: Rule of Law, Political Accountability and the Importance of Culture – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted November 30th, 2023 in news, parliament, political parties, rule of law, standards by sally

‘Political accountability plays a key role in the operation of the rule of law. This is the main claim I seek to defend through this blog post. My framework here is that the rule of law is just as concerned about the ethos of public officials as it is their actions. Political accountability acts as a mechanism through which the ethos behind public officials actions and decision-making can be monitored. As a result, political accountability plays a crucial part in the operation of the rule of law.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 30th November 2023

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Speech by the Lord Chief Justice: Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023 – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

Posted September 12th, 2023 in anonymity, civil justice, criminal justice, media, news, remote hearings, rule of law, speeches by sally

‘Open Justice Today Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Conference 2023.’

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Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 11th September 2023

Source: www.judiciary.uk

‘Less transparent and democratic’: damning verdict on rule of law – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Law-making has become less transparent, less accountable, less inclusive and less democratic, legal thinktank Justice has said in a damning report published today on the government’s approach to the rule of law.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 11th September 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Philip Murray: Reconsidering Ouster Clauses: The High Court’s Decision in Oceana – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted July 7th, 2023 in constitutional law, news, parliament, rule of law by sally

‘To many, ouster clauses represent a conflict between, on the one hand, the will of a sovereign Parliament and, on the other, the rule of law’s demands that public bodies act within the limits of their powers. The common law has traditionally sought to interpret ouster clauses restrictively, employing reasoning articulated classically (but far from the first time) in Anisminic Ltd v Foreign Compensation Commission [1969] 2 AC 147 and continued more recently in R (Privacy International) v Investigatory Powers Tribunal [2019] UKSC 22. That reasoning provides that ouster clauses do not apply where a public body has acted outside its jurisdiction: the “decision”, “determination”, etc (in the language of the clause) is null and void, such that there is nothing in law to which the clause might attach. The courts are thus able to safeguard the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court while still claiming to pay due respect to Parliament’s decrees.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 5th July 2023

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Public Lecture at The School of Law, Economics and Governance, University of Malawi by the Lord Chief Justice – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted June 8th, 2023 in judiciary, news, rule of law by sally

‘Judicial Independence and Accountability in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities.’

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 5th June 2023

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Stephen Tierney and Alison L. Young: The House of Lords Constitution Committee Reports on the Illegal Migration Bill – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘The Constitution Committee has released its report on the Illegal Migration Bill 2022-23. The Committee raises a number of concerns, including its potential impact on the rule of law, human rights, devolution, delegated powers, and parliamentary scrutiny. We await the report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights which will most likely comment in more detail on the implications of the Bill for the United Kingdom’s international obligations.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 23rd May 2023

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Default Rules in the Common Law: Substantive Rules and Precedent – Supreme Court

Posted April 28th, 2023 in judges, rule of law, speeches by sally

‘Default Rules in the Common Law: Substantive Rules and Precedent, presentation at International Workshop on Default Rules in Private Law.’

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Supreme Court, 24th march 2023

Source: www.supremecourt.uk

LSB to put focus on “ethical competence” of lawyers – Legal Futures

‘There needs to be more focus on the “ethical competence” of lawyers throughout their careers, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has suggested.’

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Legal Futures, 25th April 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ignoring ECHR orders would threaten rule of law, legal figures warn – The Independent

‘Any move to allow ministers to ignore European Court of Human Rights orders stopping the removal of migrants would undermine the rule of law, senior legal figures have warned.’

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The Independent, 20th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Ronan Cormacain: The rise and rise of the super-enabling clause – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted December 2nd, 2022 in constitutional law, legislation, news, rule of law by sally

‘It has become increasingly popular to include what I term a “super-enabling clause” in primary legislation. It is my contention these clauses are bad for democracy and the rule of law. ‘

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 30th November 2022

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

EU law overhaul will have ‘devastating impact’ – Society – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 9th, 2022 in bills, brexit, EC law, Law Society, news, rule of law by sally

‘The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could have a devastating impact on legal certainty in the UK, the Law Society said today as the bill reaches committee stage in the House of Commons.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 8th November 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lord Hodge, Guildhall Lecture – Supreme Court

‘Lord Hodge, Guildhall Lecture – The Rule of Law, the Courts and the British Economy.’

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Supreme Court, 4th October 2022

Source: www.supremecourt.uk

Michael Foran: Interpretation after the Human Rights Act? The Principle of Legality and the Rule of Law – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘Last week Liz Truss’s cabinet decided to shelve the proposed British Bill of Rights. Quite a lot has been said about the Bill since it was announced and many have welcomed the quiet demise of what was perceived by some to be a dangerous inroad into our human rights protection. Others have suggested that the Bill would never have been able to make good on the hopes of those who wish to see the U.K. unshackled from the jurisdiction of the Strasbourg Court. Rajiv Shah, a former special advisor in the Ministry of Justice and the No 10 Policy Unit, argues that the Bill was presented as containing a lot of red meat – to encourage ECHR sceptics and dismay ECHR advocates – while in reality being little more than a vegan steak. On reflection this is a fairly accurate description. One area of concern, however, was the potential repeal of s. 3 of the Human Rights Act.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 12th September 2022

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Bill of Rights: ‘Collision course with rule of law’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 23rd, 2022 in bills, human rights, news, rule of law by sally

‘The provisions so far announced for the government’s Bill of Rights will put the UK on a collision course with the rule of law, the Law Society said this morning [22 June].’

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Law Society's Gazette, 22nd June 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lord Reed, London International Disputes Week – Supreme Court

‘Lord Reed, London International Disputes Week.’

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Supreme Court, 11th May 2022

Source: www.supremecourt.uk

Speech by the Master of the Rolls to the Socio-Legal Studies Association Conference – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

Posted April 29th, 2022 in computer programs, internet, rule of law, speeches by sally

‘The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, has spoken at the Socio-Legal Studies Association Conference in York. His lecture was entitled: “The proper place of the law in a digital society”.’

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Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 28th April 2022

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Hong Kong: Top UK judges resign from highest court – BBC News

Posted March 31st, 2022 in freedom of expression, Hong Kong, judiciary, news, rule of law by sally

‘The UK has announced that two of its Supreme Court judges will no longer be sitting on Hong Kong’s top court.’

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BBC News, 30th March 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk