www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/... I end the year by featuring on the BBC! (In the background, but still!) Sadly not a medalist this time - but fingers crossed for next year!

“The plot is entertaining, unpredictable and delivered in cosy prose,” says @jpsatthebar.bsky.social (@42br.com) of Sally Smith KC’s latest novel. 📖 Read the full review in 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 here👉 hi.switchy.io/lIOx #LegalFiction

Found out that a review I wrote got cited on Wikipedia. I'm authoritative! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cut...

The divergence between what the Master of the Rolls thinks AI can do for litigation (left) and the reality of it (right) is stark. I wish he spent more time dealing with cases infected by it. (The 2nd quote is from Re: D [2025] EWCA Civ 1570, handed down yesterday).

⭐ We are pleased to present our Virtual Pupillage Open Evening 2026. The evening will provide the opportunity for prospective pupils to learn more about what life at the Bar is really like and to get to know some of our current members. 42br.com/latest-news/... #Pupillage

Unusual not only for the procedural nature of the appeal - but also the remarkably forgiving appellate comments regarding the use of AI (see final paragraphs).

📖 Child Protection Proceedings: Care and Adoption Orders 42BR's Jo Porter has co-authored a book detailing every stage of child protection proceedings. For more information and to pre-order your copy, visit our website ⬇️ www.42br.com/latest-news/... #PublicLaw #FamilyLaw

I'm getting divorced, can I ask a quick question?

Really enjoyed being back at the Education Law conference this year. Great to meet the others working in this area again, and keep up to date with the latest developments in law and policy. #EducationLawConference2025

We are back with our 2025 Education Law Conference! Opening the day with a welcome from @suejames.bsky.social, setting the scene for a programme focused on Education Law Thank you to DLA Piper & @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social for supporting the conference! #LAGEducation #EducationLawConference2025

Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇

☀️Courts need cash, not just daylight☀️ Transparency is welcome, but it will take more than media scrutiny to fix problems in our #FamilyCourts, says Oliver Conway (@oliverconway.bsky.social) in 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 ➡️ tinyurl.com/4u9a9raw #FamilyCourts#FamilyLaw #AccessToJustice

Bizarre (but commendable) to see the BBC doing a live report on possession hearings across the UK: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...

Astounding.

This is seriously the biggest change in tenancy law in 37 years. A huge thing, which will change renting short and long term.

Reeves let out a home in a selective licensing area (all rented properties in that area must be licensed) without a licence. Blames letting agent (depending on contract, she may have a point), but an up to £30,000 civil penalty & a potential rent repayment order. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

'Only a ten-minute walk from the High Street'. The horror! And from a Lib Dem MP.

Last night, I played my first chess game for my club in ages, having gone into retirement during the bar course. They were much stronger team, but I fought hard and got an unexpected win. Excitingly, I later discovered my opponent was a titled player! I’ve beaten a master over the board! 24. Ng3!

📚From the pages of October’s Legal Action Magazine @jpsatthebar.bsky.social suggests how practitioners might respond to an arcane piece of legislation popular with landlords who are trying to intimidate tenants. 🔍 Delve into the full story. Only in October’s Legal Action!

📚From the pages of October’s Legal Action Magazine @jpsatthebar.bsky.social suggests how practitioners might respond to an arcane piece of legislation popular with landlords who are trying to intimidate tenants. 🔍 Delve into the full story. Only in October’s Legal Action!

My latest article for Legal Action Group - a guide to how to counter "draconian" double rent provisions faced by tenants who've given notice - was published last week. It was a lot of fun to research - It is not often that you get to deal with statutes from 1737! www.lag.org.uk/article/2172...

In case you missed it: The reality behind “last minute” legal challenges to removal | Sonia Lenegan

Returning to this app to discover that @barristersecret.bsky.social knows of my existence!

I am delighted to begin my pupillage with @42br.com this week - I'm just so excited to get started at such a welcoming set. I'm looking forward to an intense, challenging and rewarding year - I can't wait to see what's in store!

It would be worth reading Shani v Ozekhome for the artistic quality of the red hat alone, but the multi-car pile up of legal catastrophe is hilarious to read. A real page-turner! www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKF...

I recently represented some acquaintances in a Rent Repayment Order, where the landlord had failed to obtain an HMO license. The property was not fire-safe, and contained electrical hazards which led to one tenant being electrocuted by a bathroom light switch.

The Supreme Court has handed down its Dartmoor wild camping decision in the case of Darwall and another v Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Very proud to win first prize in the Property Bar Association's Essay Competition: "100 years on from the passing of the Law of Property Act 1925, is the Act’s approach to formalities fit for the modern era?"

The Spectator on @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social: '…lawyers of undoubted intellect and skill…’ ‘…idealists, gifted advocates and politically passionate…’ ‘…radically effective…’ ‘…no doubting the skill or zeal…’ ‘…Garden Court racks up victories…’ www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...

I don't know if there is a case to be brought before the European Court of Human Rights - but we have already asked the question of a KC. And, yes, if there is a decent case for a trans person to bring, we will help them bring it.

📣London Borough of Hounslow concede breach of disabled child’s right to education during 19 month search for school place📣 Garden Court Chambers #EducationLaw Team members Gráinne Mellon, leading Alex Temple, represented the client. Read on here 🔽 gardencourtchambers.co.uk/london-borou...

Is Kilmar Abrego Garcia alive? Because the amount of resistance to addressing his being trafficked gives the distinct impression that either he is dead or what they have done to him is so unspeakable that they cannot afford for him to be freed, seen, or spoken with.

More well-informed people than me will have better comment on the sad impact for trans people of the decision today in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16. However, they are far from the only people affected. This decision also impacts non-binary and gender fluid individuals.

I recently represented my first client for SIRG - at an Independent Review of a decision to exclude a child. It was a 6-hour hearing (my longest yet) - but the Panel decided to quash the exclusion and direct the school to reconsider. An excellent result!

www.theguardian.com/society/2025... Got to be a record!

Spent my weekend competing in the LSE Featherstone LGBT Moot. As always, a wonderful experience - and a competitive one! 102 teams entered, and we made it to the final 8, before being knocked out by the eventual (highly deserving) winners.

This week, I had my first chess game against a titled player. Came within touching distance of beating an International Master. Though I eventually came second, I’m still thrilled!

The Labour humiliation video is a beyond contempt and totally useless. If you want Reform voters give them jobs by taxing wealth and investing in education and infrastructure. People are far less hateful when they are given some dignity.

Reunited with one of my favourite photographs. Taken by my brother at the student protests in 2010. A reminder that protest however futile is often an act of simple defiance against despair.

There really isn't a single vaguely left wing manifesto promise Labour will keep, is there? Still, Wes Streeting will be delighted.

Got my results from my BSB litigation exams - passed! Very proud of 94% in Civil Litigation - I feel like a world expert in Part 36 Offers. Just the practical aspects left, and then I can be called to the bar!

@hflawcentre.bsky.social are hunting for a new housing solicitor! They are a friendly team, with a knack for finding unusual cases, and a disproportionately successful record. If you're interested in legal aid housing work, there are few better places you could be! hflaw.org.uk/vacancies/

£20,000 compensation and discharge of a suspended possession order, for discrimination arising from disability. Well done Nick!

Professional negligence claim against direct access barrister (and her clerk) in the amount of £292,806,729,326,976,872,097,543,994.24 struck out. This starts out as mad, and gets progressively more deranged. caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/comm/20...

🚨 We are pleased to share that the Home Secretary has confirmed the govt will repeal Safety of Rwanda Act 2024, in response to our legal challenge to the Rwanda plan. While the Labour govt had already announced that no one would be sent to Rwanda, the Act remains on the statute books. 1/4

Two interesting judgments yesterday. A Father v Worcestershire CC is notable for having (I think) the first litigant in person in the Supreme Court, but RTM v Bonne Terre Ltd and Hestview Ltd [2025] EWHC 111 (KB) is noteworthy too: www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...

Notable new arrival on here is @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social - the housing minister (and I am confident this is real...)