I wrote this recently for @ibanews.bsky.social on how NATO is responding to escalating Russian aggression on the EU's borders with some brilliant insight from military law experts @alexgilder.bsky.social and Kirsty Sutherland www.ibanet.org/NATO-moves-t...

I spoke to Galina Arapova and Mark Stephens for @ibanews.bsky.social on Russia's continued crackdown on digital freedoms through new censorship laws, internet shutdowns and restricting access to foreign apps and websites. Read more here: www.ibanet.org/Russia-steps...

It’s four years since the Taliban toppled Kabul and Afghans’ basic rights were eroded. Here’s my article for @indexoncensorship.org last year where I spoke to some very brave Afghan women about what it’s like to live under Taliban rule www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/01/afgh...

"It is truly a workers’ rights win," said @zeldaperkins.bsky.social when asked her thoughts on the UK's decision to ban NDAs in cases of harassment & discrimination. I wrote this for @ibanews.bsky.social on why it matters & why it won't make settlements more difficult www.ibanet.org/Rule-of-law-...

In a week when Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced to 2 years in prison on politically motivated charges, it seems apt that @indexoncensorship.org publishes my profile of Professor Donald Rayfield on why he’s speaking out against Georgia’s authoritarian regime www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/07/land...

My latest blogs for @right2equality.bsky.social on one family’s fight to stay together in the family courts.⁠ An imperfect system (Part 1) righttoequality.org/an-imperfect...

Such an interesting article by @martinbright.bsky.social on the culture of secrecy hanging over maternity services and women's healthcare in England. A must read.

Delighted to be published in the latest edition of @indexoncensorship.org and have insight from @annagvarish.bsky.social Tamar Oniani from the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Institution and academic Sophie Shamanidi into how Georgia’s ruling party is stifling free speech and dismantling independent media

Yesterday, I joined the journalists’ solidarity march in Tbilisi, holding my sign: ‘media freedom is the right of the people.’ As GD tightens its grip with laws to silence us, it’s not just journalists who suffer—it’s society, robbed of truth. #GeorgiaProtests 📸 Tbel Abuseridze

As the US retreats from the world stage, who's winning? Russia certainly, but also China. I spoke to Angela Stent @brookings.edu @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social @warstudieskcl.bsky.social & legal experts to find out what this means for Ukraine and the rule of law worldwide www.ibanet.org/US-Presidenc...

Really helpful analysis on what Trump's latest tariff increases mean for global trade and why they may not bring the economic benefits that he's hoping for

@ruthsgreen.bsky.social Global Insight feature explores the upcoming Latin American elections. www.ibanet.org//Latin-Ameri...

Delighted to receive a copy of 'Anywhere But Here' - a deep dive into the UK's broken asylum system by @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social I've looked at some of the legal obstacles facing asylum seekers in my reporting, but looking forward to understanding more about why the system is failing so many

On 7th March Georgia’s civilian protests reached 100 days. Read more about why they’re protesting and the response by the authorities in my first piece for @newint.bsky.social new-internationalist.ghost.io/georgian-pro...

Amidst calls for a public inquiry into the phone-hacking scandal, here's my piece on Prince Harry's settlement and what could happen next, with great insight from Dr Evan Harris, consultant to Harry's legal team, and media law experts Gerald Shamash and Mark Stephens

I'm just catching up on the Zelensky-Trump nightmarish talks. The brash, domineering arrogance and rudeness of Trump and Vance is so embarrassing to watch. Their infantile demands for more overt gratitude from Zelensky. So disgusting (1/2)

Important blog here on the importance of accurate reporting. If we want the judiciary to embrace greater transparency, then the press must ensure what they report is accurate and, when necessary, issue corrections. The consequences of misinformation are serious and real for judges and their families

Ten years ago today the Russian opposition politician & fierce Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov was shot dead on a bridge opposite Red Square.

For those who need reminding, Ukraine is under martial law so elections can't happen. I wrote about this last year. Scroll down to "Ukraine’s democratic dilemma". Unfortunately upholding democracy isn't foremost in the US president's mind at home or abroad www.ibanet.org/the-great-re...

I've just been reading about the re-naming of Beckwith House in Stockport. Can anyone put me in touch with a living relative of Supt Howard Beckwith? #journorequest

Some interesting observations here from @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social on the complex challenges facing open justice and how to balance privacy, transparency and public interest reporting rozenberg.substack.com/p/open-justi...

Some interesting observations here from @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social on the complex challenges facing open justice and how to balance privacy, transparency and public interest reporting rozenberg.substack.com/p/open-justi...

Belarus' recent presidential election went largely unnoticed as those who try to speak out in the country are silenced or forced to leave. I spoke to @pavelslunkin.bsky.social @markslark2.bsky.social and Mikhail Savva to find out more about why what's happening in Belarus matters

20 years in the making, but in January Ukraine finally joined the International Criminal Court. I delved into the complex backstory for this piece, looking at why there's been so much opposition in Ukraine to joining the ICC and what difference membership will make www.ibanet.org/Ukraine-over...

Read @ruthsgreen.bsky.social’s feature for Index on the impact of the Taliban’s gender-apartheid rules on female lawyers in #Afghanistan, and how brave legal professionals are defying them: www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/01/afgh...

From today the media is allowed to report from all family courts across England & Wales, whilst still adhering to strict anonymity rules. It's been hailed as a "watershed" change for the family court system www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

In the run-up to the #Belarus election, Index shares letters from political prisoners still behind bars. #MaksimZnak, a lawyer imprisoned since 18 Sept 2020, remains in prison today. We continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release: www.indexoncensorship.org/campaigns/le...

My latest for the IBA on the landmark advisory proceedings on climate change held at the International Court of Justice in December. The ICJ's opinion will be even more significant as the US seeks (again) to withdraw from the Paris Agreement despite the LA wildfires www.ibanet.org/Small-Island...

I'd never heard of FanDuel before I read this, but this is a fascinating piece by @magstaylorish.bsky.social on a rather unique transatlantic New York-Scottish legal battle. Do read www.thetimes.com/article/d48e...

Here's the final part of my blog series for @right2equality.bsky.social This looks at a family court case involving allegations of domestic abuse and international child abduction and how judges, interpreters and court clerks always have to expected the unexpected righttoequality.org/a-week-in-ma...

Here's the second instalment of my sobering week in Manchester's family court for @right2equality.bsky.social focused on care proceedings, alleged neglect, parental struggles with addiction and a child being reunited with his father after 12 years righttoequality.org/a-week-in-ma...

For a limited time, Index’s latest magazine issue, Unsung Heroes, is free to read on Sage! This issue celebrates the universality of music and the vital role of musicians in society while examining how they are being silenced. Explore the new issue now: journals.sagepub.com/toc/IOC/curr...

Hard to believe this was 10 years ago. A tragic reminder that freedom of expression was then and still is very much under threat

This is very good from @stephenkb.bsky.social on Musk, Farage on what currently is and isn't known about grooming data in England and Wales www.ft.com/content/b6ef...?

My feature on the brave Afghan women who have seen their legal careers, education and fundamental freedoms torn away by the Taliban is now in the latest issue of @indexoncensorship.org Visit their website for more info. Thanks to @shaharzadakbar.bsky.social and others for their incredible insight

Another year, another COP, but as the dust settles in Baku, I look at whether the so-called "finance COP" really delivered. Read my COP29 analysis about what progress was made, missed opportunities and what challenges remain ahead of COP30 and beyond

Great interview with Gisèle Pelicot's lawyer, Stéphane Babonneau, by @kimwillsher.bsky.social Grim but important reading. Babonneau says he's never come across "this level of depravity and inhumanity and trauma".

My take on ‘brazen’ Russian influence in Moldova’s presidential election, including an exclusive interview with Veronica Dragalin, Moldova’s Chief Anti-corruption Prosecutor, and how the situation compares with interference in Georgian’s recent parliamentary elections www.ibanet.org/Moldova-year...

Blown away reading about support for bereaved school children in NI. There was nothing like that when I was at school and my brother died in 1998. The teachers were supportive of course, but this is next level stuff. I hope it's happening everywhere www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...?

So I've finally made the leap. Still on the other platform for now but keen to catch up with old followers and new here and hopefully get back to more newsgathering and less scrolling through adverts, hate and annoying bots