Today is the Jewish festival of Purim (the classic “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat” festival). It’s customary to wear fancy dress on Purim, so today at the new Central London ET I will be masquerading as a barrister.

I wonder how much the penguins on the McDonald and Heard Islands will now sue the USA for… www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...

I bet he’ll be sweating now… www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...

For Lent, will the government give up u-turns for 40 days?

@ishankolhatkar.com where did you come? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Presumably those who raised antisemitic conspiracy theories about the alleged change of constitution of the Divisional Court panel hearing the Palestine Action JR are penning their mea culpa tweets.

I think someone on the BBC Sports desk is a little confused...

I know that Olivia Coleman is an actor of amazing dexterity, but I fear this role might stretch her too far.

Wondering if one of the things #TheApprentice teams will be asked to find and bring back from Hong Kong is Jimmy Lai.

Today’s New York Times spelling bee is going to have people across Britain spitting out their cornflakes in anger!

This is very exciting for the legal community on social media, with whom @nigella.bsky.social has so often corresponded both on here and on Twitter (in its good old days)! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It’s good to know that republicans are against civilians carrying weapons and are not unwaveringly pro-life. So they’d doubtless support a narrow reading of the 2nd Amendment, disbandment of the NRA and the placing of Roe v Wade rights on the statute book.

Is there an equivalent of a civil restraint order for vexatious litigants in the USA? Just a thought... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

As a British lawyer, it's dumbfounding that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is actively supporting impeaching 2 Judges because their rulings have been inconvenient/critical to Trump. thehill.com/homenews/hou...

If it's okay with you, I think I'll stay here and give my US asylum place to someone actually suffering state persecution. (I'd also rather not claim asylum in a country whose leaders are comfortable associating with the likes of Nick Fuentes) www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

They always say that as a barrister you should note what the greats are doing and see what you can learn from their actions. So today I’m taking that advice and copying @dinahrose.bsky.social and @davidmuttering.bsky.social

🤔

Fascinating piece of info in today's Nobel press release makes one wonder whether Machado was trying to deliver a different message by giving Trump her Nobel medal.

I presume the real quote ends “…like a hole in the head”

Luke Littler hit a 147 to win the World Championship! Don't think that's been done before in the history of snooker, let alone darts!

So we now know who the real @barristersecret.bsky.social is! #Traitors

Ok, so just so we are clear, it’s now okay for a foreign country to swoop in and take hostage a President and First Lady where the President has tried anti-democratically to steal an election and where he is more widely corrupt, and where the country has oil resources. Got it.

Two barristers on the Traitors cast. Now that is an exciting start to 2026!!!

A bit niche this, but the Jewish News typo in announcing Matt Lucas's OBE amused me. Kittle Britain would be a fascinating High Holyday documentary!

Do any criminal lawyers on here have thoughts on this judgment re quashing a summons for the private prosecution of Reginald D Hunter due to the prosecutor's failure to comply with the duty of candour? @barristersecret.bsky.social @joannahs.bsky.social greghadfield.medium.com/judgment-of-...

Just in time!

Chanukah Sameach. May the light engulf the darkness.

I mourn for a world where I have to think carefully about attending a public celebration of what should be a joyous day, and one focused on the excitement and smiles of children, because I can’t be sure whether someone else’s hatred sees that as an irresistible opportunity to kill Jews.

In certain parts of NW London and south Hertfordshire, the collective shouts at the TV screen registered on the richter scale as Jewish Only Connect viewers got 5 points on the Sequences round. @vcorenmitchell.bsky.social

Pity the non-legal correspondent journalists currently ploughing their way through a 300+ page Scottish Employment Tribunal judgment.

Violent threats, ‘soft sexism’ at the Bar — and defending Jimmy Lai www.thetimes.com/article/bf21... A great report on a barrister whose utter brilliance, tenacity and dedication to the rule of law knows no bounds.

Whatever happens in the World Cup draw, we all know it will only be Trump's 2nd favourite such event www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzO8...

share.google/iENGPBziAJMS... Who knew that Guinness World Records were as global as the baseball World Series? (I write this as a former world record holder as a participant in the world’s largest custard pie fight (if you can spot me)): youtu.be/HUAhUine6gk?...

Well, it seems I have a listening age of 80, which likely would have been higher had I not listened to music every so often when running…

Perhaps the government should go back to jury trial’s predecessor, trial by compurgation?

Is there any way in which he isn't a thoroughly objectionable human being? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Office for Budget Irresponsibility?

As Wordsworth put it, the child is the father of the man. It seems pretty clear from his school acquaintances' accounts that the child Farage was a nasty, antisemitic, racist bully. His ever-narrowing denials lack credibility. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Seems it's time for me to go up into the loft and try to find my 2000 Masters extended essay "Trial by Jury: A 21st century anachronism?" in which I conclude that the answer is no.

When I woke this morning, I didn't realise how good 172 all out was!

As the great-grandson of people who fled persecution, I want to live in a country that tells those granted asylum that, after a time, they can feel safe, build a life, and plan a future here without fear of being sent back to the place from which they escaped.

As well as being Guy Fawkes Night, today Sir Sydney Kentridge turns the grand old age of 103. I recall watching him 20 years ago in the Court of Appeal in AG v Jackson (the Hunting Act case) when he was a mere 82 and still an absolute master of the court.

What prompted the Times editor to choose this photo over all the others, one wonders?

If only the Quality Assurance process extended to checking whether apostrophes were not inappropriately absent.

We just published a new piece by Hugh Collins: 'Discrimination Law, Section 3 Human Rights Act and the Higgs Poser' uklabourlawblog.com/2025/10/31/d...

Has anyone thought of the people of York? How will they cope without a duke to rule over them?

Just catching up on an employment case in the CA (Rogerson v Erhard-Jensen) and I see that there is now a new part of the Court of Appeal.

I presume we’ve never previously had a commoner as high up as eighth in the line of succession? (I look forward to being told this presumption is not correct)

Oh no he isn’t! Or alternatively: Oh no! He isn’t?!? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Is Prince Andrew’s downfall going to end up with his life mimicking Sue Townsend’s brilliant book, The Queen and I, where she imagined the Queen being forced to move to a council estate? www.thetimes.com/article/c8b0...