Whatever your views about her politics Erika Kirk spoke the Christian message of love and forgiveness whereas Trump continues to preach hatred, division and lies.

Mad dogs and Englishmen …

Have I got this right - because we care so much for the mother we will remove any criminal liability for killing a full term baby. And because we care about someone’s right to die we will introduce legislation pursuant to which many who may not want to die may die. This is compassion?

On a train from Krakow to Wroclaw to watch Chelsea in Conference League final - “on our way, on our way”

Some tulips to brighten up your day (first time I’ve made an effort to grow them - by effort I mean plant them!)

Lovely celebratory dinner for Andrew Gordon-Saker in his retirement as senior costs judge - great and the good and also rans like me of the world of costs were there. And @lincolnsinn.bsky.social looking mighty fine

Trump and Vance are nothing but disgraceful bullies. Zelensky is a hero but pushed the narcissist’s wrong buttons

Good to join the demonstration in support of Ukraine today … and good to be on a demo where the placards were not produced by Socialist Worker!

This decision is a further example of what I have historically referred to as the Billy Joel guide to costs law “get it right the first time” - track 4 side 2 The Stranger

If anyone on here I know wants to be my guest at Stamford Bridge tonight for Chelsea v West Ham ko 8pm let me know asap. Chelsea end. Meet at ground. 1 Ticket unexpectedly available hence v short notice!

Just to make me feel really old

Congratulations to all the new silks - you know who you are even if the rest of us don’t for another hour or so. Exciting

… hang on it was 25 years ago we were celebrating the new millennium- no way!

Just felt very old - top selling 3 songs of 2024 -Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, Benson Boone's Beautiful, Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso - just listened and had not consciously heard any before.

Today’s skiing earworm “another day of sun” from La La Land

Makes yesterday’s slow journey worthwhile - view from kitchen sink (v similar to other photos taken on day of arrival over the years!)

Do join us this evening for our carols by candlelight- St Thomas church is in Balham/Streatham Hill

Whatever perverted ideology lies behind one’s decision to attack a Christmas market what there must be in common is a hatred of Christians and the celebration of Christmas. Immanuel God with us. RIP

90s I had High Court prof neg trial re valuation of a property in Barry (hence Gavin & Stacey prompt) - expert was cross examined re importance of location and different locations within Barry. Exasperated & not accepting location within Barry mattered “Barry, this is Barry for goodness sake”

Could be a busy day - sent out WhatsApp invitations to local friends for Christmas drinks and nibbles this afternoon/evening - 65 say they’re coming - we’re gonna need a bigger house!

Hirachand decision today in Supreme Court - Success fee under a CFA not recoverable under Inheritance Act 1975 - congratulations to @gatehouse.bsky.social Brie Stevens-Hoare and Cameron Stocks who appeared for the successful appellant @briekc.bsky.social

Helped at local youth club again this evening- 2 things I loved: 1. Towards end of evening they nearly all decided they wanted to abandon their mad skating and make gingerbread houses 2. This old man ain’t bad at table tennis

Friends round for dinner tonight- a school night but nearly Christmas- charred tender stem broccoli with sweet tahini dressing, sea bass with rice n peas and avocado & white nectarine salsa, individual raspberry cheesecakes, selection of Spanish cheeses

If you happen to live in Balham/Streatham/Clapham and have kids you’d be very welcome to join is this afternoon at 2:15 @STwSS for Christmas Cracker - lots of activities - I’ll be there though somewhat disguised. You’d be v welcome even if don’t have kids but it’ll be noisy!

Tonight (and tomorrow!) Matthew I’m going to be …

It’s the @gatehouse.bsky.social costs team Merry Costmas dinner tonight thanks to the punmeister @charlottewilk.bsky.social - now need to sort costs playlist - obviously start with Bills, Bills, Bills by Destiny’s Child

I don’t remember in previous years being aware of Snowman by Sia but hear it so often this year … and I love it. Knew you’d want to know

I was dictating notes onto my phone yesterday as I walked the dog - the notes refer to damages based grooming!

I don’t seek to defend Phil Shiner but the reporting of his sentencing is generally wildly inaccurate as to what he pleaded guilty to (failing to declare use of a fixer and referral fees) and the amounts involved (£200k not £3m). Why do people not read the published sentencing remarks?

Living in the tropics of Balham

Formerly or even formally known as the Court of Appeal

US law firm Armstrong Teasdale took over Kerman & Co 2021 - pulled out October 24 putting the UK co into administration - administrators proposals show £279,650,50 owed to 14 different barristers (inc me!) who as unsecured creditors will get 0p in the £. Unimpressed

Just seen Mark Strong and Lesley Manville in Oedipus - wow, wow, wow. Dark. Powerful. Disturbing. Quite brilliant

In one sense the ingenuity of some thieves is impressive- we had spare wheel nicked from the underside of our campervan over night - I hadn’t even consciously realised that was where it was!

Asked by our 30 something kids if want to join them watching Strictly - no we’re off to a gig in Homerton. Shouldn’t it be other way around?!

Only taken best part of a year to get round to it but just had excellent lunch at Cornus, Eccleston Place to celebrate my former pupil taking silk. Excellent tasting menu (for special occasions!)

Have dropped in occasionally on Supreme Court hearing For WomenLtd v Scottish Ministers and keep being reminded of this 1970 advert and The Pregnant Man bar on Chancery Lane after which it was named

If the vote on the Assisted Dying Bill is a vote of conscience it seems a bit bizarre for some to complain about some MPs voting in accordance with their religious beliefs

Stir up Sunday with youths at church

Last day of London Jazz Festival so had to be lunch at 606 Club

Stir up Sunday - seems like a good excuse for me to get the youth at church to make Christmas puddings for their group lunch in a fortnight and mine for Christmas Day

Met up for lunch yesterday with the 3 friends who I shared a house (only outside loo!) with as students in Hull 1979-80. Great lunch. Great laughs. Great friends.

Speaking this morning Thought Leaders 4 conference on litigation funding with Prof. Rachael Mulheron and Alex Chalk KC. Hoping I don’t get all the blame re PACCAR!

On some days the excitement can be hard to contain - 4 hours of Bar Council fair recruitment and selection training then joining a 2 day conference for litigation funders

"While you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than fact that 30,000 kids died last night" -Tony Campolo the best preacher I ever heard. RIP

Early start today - on my way to Leamington Spa as keynote speaker at Wright Hassall’s commercial litigation conference- will be referring to 4 developments with reference to Abba hits!

Been at funeral of extraordinary man - GP (the cycling GP, professor at Kings, researcher, international heath app developer, eco-church campaigner, father, grandfather, Christian, and most positive person imaginable - lived with cancer for 12 years. Hundreds at funeral. All packed in to 68 years.

On WFH Friday during the rush hour I got a seat on the Northern & Central lines - this evening had to stand on tube into the centre surrounded by young women drinking G&Ts out of a can.

With impeccable ironic timing today is apparently safeguarding Sunday in churches in the UK.

Can’t believe it’s taken is this long to see the production of Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre- it’s really good and great fun