I'm no great Starmer cheerleader, but here's just a few facts from this year: * NHS waiting lists down by 400,000 * People arriving on small boats down 36% * Crime rate falling or flat * UK GDP rising at fastest rate for a year Genuine Q to the Starmer critics, what more do you want?

Not a single solicitor on the roll called David Attenborough. Guess I'll shelve that idea for a silly Friday story.

On a train into London full with London Marathon well wishers and Chelsea fans going to the cup semi. Almost an equal split between people drinking Pimms and Madri.

Amid a lot of doom and gloom, here's a story to brighten your weekend. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Anyone else spend a lot of the #grandnational cheering for all those horses who lost their rider and cracked on anyway?

Big day for the legal profession as the Mazur ruling is handed down by the Court of Appeal. A little explainer here: www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/mazur-f...

My youngest has started walking himself home from school and doesn't need picking up, and I'm most worried I no longer have an excuse for missing Teams meetings.

Find it strange how so much of the narrative is about whether Starmer is weaker for being attacked by Trump. Surely the opposite is the case? A British PM standing up to a bully makes him seem strong and independent. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

If in doubt, blame the lawyers. A tale as old as time. But riddle me this Bridget Phillipson: if 95% of appeals by SEND parents are successful, why is it lawyers and not the system that is the problem? www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Went to an Irish pub in Brixton last night where the DJ came on at midnight and started with It's All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion and then segued into Material Girl. It was a brilliant night.

Excited to announce my first book is out in September: Indefensible: How Lawyers Failed to Stop the Post Office Scandal. The Post Office scandal wasn’t just corporate failure. It was a legal one. Published by @brisunipress.bsky.social. Pr-order here: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/indefe...

This letter and its more than 3,000 signatories demonstrate the unequivocal principled and practical opposition to the restriction of jury trials from not only the Bar, but the legal profession as a whole... #justiceneedsjuries

Two opinions can simultaneously be right on criminal justice, ahead of the Courts and Tribunals Bill vote. Victims are correct to say the process takes too long. It does and that's a national disgrace. But lawyers are also right to say restricting juries is not the answer to this problem.

A new blog on Conservatives, Robert Jenrick and so-called judicial activists: www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...

In Manchester for the Conservative Party Conference, where former home secretary Suella Braverman has called for parliament to routinely review judge decisions for mistakes. Says country needs to get back to 'culture of judicial deference'.

Biggest drawback of the digital ID is probably the number of comments from lawyers I'm going to be emailed today.

Not saying the Conservatives are leaning into the Reform agenda, but this is the title of shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick's speech at the Tory Party Conference.

Confirmation from the Supreme Court that the motor finance ruling will be out next Friday. 🚘💰

The Marten/Gordon trial sounds truly remarkable. Amazing that it ever got as far as a verdict, given what went on in court. Brilliant reporting from the BBC's Helena Wilkinson. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It is my civic duty to inform you that Magnums are included as part of the Tesco Meal Deal. You're welcome. 🌞

Characteristically brilliant piece from Marina (no relation) Hyde on the Post Office scandal. I should point out she is not just an armchair commentator but someone who has been present at the inquiry and gets it better than most. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Breaking news from Post Office Inquiry: Victims are not getting the compensation they deserve because of the government's inflexible and unfair approach. This was revealed in first volume of Sir Wyn Williams' report published today. More at this link. 👇 www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/indefen...

The ill-informed nonsense spouted by people about the EHCP is infuriating. It is a rigorous and long process to get one. They are granted only where the system has failed #send children. If the numbers are going up then the lack of investment in the school system is to blame.

You can always tell you're in a classy hotel cos they trust you not to steal the coat hangers. This is also great as it means you can steal coat hangers.

I happen to think any politician brought to tears in such a public and humiliating way requires our sympathy, not scorn. #rachelreeves

Not sure I see the issue with this. Article is essentially saying 'Lawyers who got a good result for client asked to advise on other similar cases.' www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jun...

Is there any reason why there seem to be so many empty seats on centre court at Wimbledon?

Saw an Amazon driver literally running to a delivery yesterday (in 30 degrees plus heat). Presumably he might not be paid if he missed a single deadline. He looked exhausted. Then I read online that cost of Jeff Bezos' wedding could be more than $50m. Obscene.

The people who ring into the Jeremy Vine Show fascinate me. There's a guy on just now who is quite simply furious with hand held fans and needs the world to know.

I love a festival, but three/four days is my limit. Glastonbury looks too much like hard work for me.

Listen to part two of Jonathan Wheeler’s conversation with @johnhyde.bsky.social, the @lawsocietygazette.bsky.social's‬ Deputy News Editor. This conversation covers John’s dedication to reporting the Post Office scandal and why it’s such an important story for the legal sector. tinyurl.com/3jshmj7v

It's the England under 21s. If they had experience they wouldn't be there...

Not saying everyone has packed up for the weekend in the sun, but I haven't had an email for over three hours now... 😎

Up there with the most cringeworthy things an advocate could do.

A new piece from me on the delicate debate around whether to name (and inevitably shame) solicitors guilty of serious misconduct. www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...

Have been despatched to the Lego store in Leicester Square at lunchtime with instructions to get something called a Minecraft Creeper set for son's birthday. Pray for me please.

It would seem Labour is keeping up the long tradition of talking constantly about law and order and then forgetting to put any money into the criminal justice system. #spendingreview

Good morning to all the pub bores who told me Gareth Southgate was the problem.

Quick note on people angry with the use of 'collision' by the media to describe events in Liverpool. This is standard for an incident involving a vehicle where arrests or charges have not been made. It's a neutral term to avoid apportioning blame (even where it's clear what happened).

Understanding the sentence of Lucy Connolly Had it not been for competent legal advice, her sentence could have been far harsher By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...

Any party promising to ban people taking personal calls on speakerphones would comfortably win the next election.

So intrigued by the notion of a ruling made at 2.25am. Did they have to open the RCJ? Who has to be up to make this happen? Are judges on call during the night to pick up late applications? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Big fan of the guy in a pub full of Spurs and Man Utd fans sitting at the front in an Arsenal shirt.

Seriously Europe, your don't help yourselves sometimes. #eurovision

Obviously Sweden will win, but my favourite was Italy. #eurovision

Getting increasing numbers of press releases dubbing their lawyer the 'Martin Lewis of law'. Please make it stop.

Mediation is a route to speedy settlement and resolution, not a box-ticking exercise. Yet another way in which #SENDfamilies are being let down. #ehcp #send www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/send-la...

Worst part about Labour's anti-immigration swing is they have a whacking great majority and four years to set the agenda. They have the tools to push against rather than copy the Reform rhetoric. Instead they take this cowardly approach.

Incalculable damage. Incredible. Starmer should be ashamed of this.

Imagine being a foreign-born care worker today. You are cleaning people as they use the toilet, spoon-feeding them and painstakingly helping them in and out of bed. And the government message is that you're not wanted here.