An important read, this.

After Golders Green adamwagnerkc.substack.com/p/after-gold...

This judicial review judgment must have been painful reading at the OfS. Their decision was ruled unlawful on several grounds including ultra vires, more than one error of law and predetermination bias—which I don't think is often succeeds as a ground of JR.

Extremely pleased to hear this from Mark Rowley, much needed clarity when a community which has been repeatedly gaslit by senior figures about its own safety

I've never been one of those "it's getting too dangerous for Jews to live here" people but this is getting really fucking scary. Not that there's anywhere better to go.

The Court of Appeal hearing for Ammori’s case (Palestine Action proscription appeal), starting tomorrow, has been listed for 5 judges. This is very rare, especially in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division). The judges are: the LCJ, the MR, Edis LJ, Lewis LJ and Whipple LJ

Darren Jones on Laura Kuenssberg spoke of "having a Town Hall" meaning a public meeting (a term I learnt from 'Parks and Recreation') then referred to the local/county elections as "midterms". There is no logical reason for the adoption of these American terms. 😡

The first time I’ve been in the Appleton Thorn Village Hall, and—what a terrific place for beer! Brilliant. This pint, SPA from 4Ts brewery in Warrington, is just terrific. A very drinkable classic pale ale.

Cheers Sean Here's the link for sponsoring any or all of our runners. - Sophie Morris - Rory Gardner - Simon Forshaw KC - Matt Simmons - Richard Wilson 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/freerepresen... Good luck and thanks to them all!

Delighted to have attended the launch of ‘Lawyers for Animals’ at Gray’s Inn last night. A new animal law working on prosecuting factory farms, defending animal rights activists and exploring pathways to advance animal rights through the legal system. An inspiring event. Exciting times!

I wish the Zoe app always said this.

We need MUCH stronger planning enforcement for UK pubs. #CrookedHousePub still pile of rubble. Owners with pots of equity able to actively contest S Staffs Council enforcement notice to restore pub to "what it was prior to the fire". CPS yet to announce if criminal charges will be brought for arson!

I’ve got cricket on YouTube, and am reminded of how important vocal variety is on radio or TV when you can’t see the speakers. The two young male commentators’ voices aren’t contrasting enough, so it’s harder than it should be to follow their discussion.

Good point.

There's huge downside risk for governing parties now in contested leadership changes—more than ever before. Now that members choose the new leader, there's a massive risk they go for a person and a policy direction they really like, but the public really doesn't.

1/ Unusual scene inside Hungary’s Constitutional Court: during a sitting, judge Marcel Szabó reportedly read out a statement calling for court president Péter Polt to resign. telex.hu/belfold/2026...?

New from FM: Nearly Legal and Giles Peaker: An Appreciation | Colin Yeo

The appeal against Farbey J's decision in Tasib - which rejected the claimant's arguments that the principle of legality should be used to read down secondary legislation - will be heard by the Court of Appeal on 1 July. See my write up here: administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/t...

If true, this is a problem. Broadcast media will be tilted in favour of extremists, if extremists can call out maybe controversial and unpopular but moderate and inoffensive things others say, while others can't call out the controversial, unpopular, extreme and offensive things the extremists say.

‘John Donaldson’s career with the National Industrial Relations Court can be seen as an egregious example of judicial activism: secretive, condoned and connived at by the judiciary, civil service and government ministers.’ Francis FitzGibbon on judicial overreach. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

For those who were unable to attend - or wish to revisit - Lord Justice Singh's recent lecture for Public Law, "Substantive Principles of Public Law: What Happened after 1987?" can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WOm...

Good point, this. I think it matters a great deal how determined Starmer is to carry on. If he’s very determined, it’ll be hard to remove him.

I always get a little sad when I visit cities and see historic buildings with the names of barristers’ chambers carved into stone edifices, but the city no longer either has a crown court nor a local Bar.

Giles was such a good guy. He is going to be so missed. www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/tribute...

Giles was so generous with his time and so helpful when it came to explaining to journalists very clearly and with quotable precision exactly how a wrong un landlord was being a wrong un. But mostly I just remember thinking he was a really, really kind human who cared about the state of others.

Giles co-authored the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act with Justin, and I was delighted to work with him on other projects too. I was, frankly, terrified of Giles’ razor-sharp intelligence but soothed by his kindness and great good humour. God, we will miss him.

Such very very sad news. Giles was so generous with his time and information, and patiently signposted me several times when I worked with families who would often have housing issues as well as needing help with benefits - he will be much missed.

Devastated by this news. Giles was one of the greats in housing law. He made a difference to thousands of individual clients & to millions more by achieving Homes (Fitness for human habitation) Act. A great legacy but too young for a legacy.

I can’t recall when I was more upset by the death of someone I’d never met than of that of Giles Peaker.

Last night I heard the very sad news about @nearlylegal.co.uk the much respected and admired Giles Peaker. He was a one of a kind housing lawyer, and I spoke to him only last month at the annual SHLA conference. A thoroughly decent human being. www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/legenda...

This is just really awful news and the second I’ve seen in recent days. Giles was one of the first people I interacted with on social media. Seriously clever, empathetic. Love to his family and friends. nearlylegal.co.uk/2026/04/gile...

This is incredibly sad news. Giles has been at the very heart of the UK online legal community from the beginning. He had unparalleled expertise, was the scourge of bad landlords, the most effective public communicator of legal concepts and always made time to help those who needed it.

As on social media, so in real life. Vale Giles Peaker (@nearlylegal.co.uk ) of @anthonygoldlaw.bsky.social a leading lawyer who changed the law and his clients' lives for the better & still found time to educate us all and make us smile. Gosh he will be missed.

The last post of Giles Peaker. I very much admired him. RIP and condolences to all his friends and family

I’m deeply saddened at the tragic loss of Giles Peaker. Giles was not only an exceptionally talented housing lawyer but a real force for good in the world who played an integral role in the development of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act. My heartfelt condolences to all who loved him.

Devastated to learn that Giles died at the weekend. He leaves shoes impossible to fill. One of life’s warriors, dedicated to righting wrongs in an area of law so full of wrongs that his enormous brain and energy was constantly put to use. Thoughts with his family, loved ones and friends. xxx

Very sad to hear of the death of Giles Peaker @Nearly legal. I had followed him for a long time both here and in the other place. I always enjoyed his posts and admired his legal expertise. And he was a skilled photographer too. Gone too soon. nearlylegal.co.uk/2026/04/gile...

I am horrified to hear of the death of Giles Peaker or @nearlylegal.co.uk as he was better known to most people. Housing law was his world, and he changed it for the better. I shall miss him.

This is awful news. One of the original legal bloggers and one of the very best. nearlylegal.co.uk/2026/04/gile...

Awful news about Giles Peaker, @nearlylegal.co.uk, a brilliant legal blogger and a real pioneer. A great figure in using the internet for the public understanding of law.

I am very much saddened to report that my friend, @nearlylegal.co.uk passed away this weekend. nearlylegal.co.uk/2026/04/gile...

"It happened on the 19th April, 1964. It was bluebell time in Kent..." Hinz v Berry [1970] 2 QB 40

You knew who was going to win about half way through this series of The Apprentice.

You may be interested in this campaign by @manchestermill.bsky.social | Three courts dates in three months – and how you can help manchestermill.co.uk/three-courts...

Yes, it is. My sense is that Lord Sales overinterprets key UK Brexit legislation, so that his legal approach to assimilated law may be, very crudely put, a bit too Brexity. Which may explain his (I think) wrong and overcomplex approach in the Lipton case a couple of years ago. 1/

The law should be under constant review and scrutiny. But I remain surprised the opponents of joint enterprise get such an uncritical press to argue about injustice. It really comes down to finding examples of cases where a person has been convicted for doing nothing material. So far none. /1

I can never decide whether this or Vertigo is my favourite film.

Typically clear and thorough demolition by @profmarkelliott.bsky.social of the claim that the forthcoming Bill providing for alignment with EU law is constitutionally objectionable. Recommended to lawyers and non-lawyers alike. publiclawforeveryone.com/2026/04/13/t...

She's right. Leave aside the slight red herring about "Henry VIII powers", the fact that some people seem surprised by this may be related to the terminological point I made yesterday. I think some people have been under the impression that alignment just means shadowing EU law.

Given everyone now has an opinion on secondary legislation, now might be a good time to plug @madenlaid.bsky.social. Every SI laid before Parliament where the minister has already made it into law