To what extent must the courts defer to the Executive? Under Lord Reed the Supreme Court has generally pursued a deferential approach towards the government. But Shvidler v Secretary of State [2025] UKSC 30 may represent a change of course. 🧵 publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/07/29/t...

The Supreme Court has issued a dramatic new judgment on the Freedom of Information Act - in a 3-2 split amongst the court. I acted for the Editor of @theecologist.org, Brendan Montague, supported by @globaljusticenow.bsky.social Read my round-up of the case here: www.39essex.com/information-...

The Chief Magistrate has dismissed a challenge to Soho's first new gin distillery in a century. The Court held the "Soho Society"s challenge (on alleged safety issues with distilling) failed because distilling is not a licensable activity and is regulated by a separate scheme. tinyurl.com/55wzmker

Political lying is undermining our democracy - I discussed why, and how the Welsh Senedd proposal to sanction political liars can be a solution with @jennifernadel.bsky.social Adam Price MS and ABC's Michelle Ainsworth Listen here: shows.acast.com/truth-trust-...

Fantastic to discuss my constitutional law cases and how to save British democracy (and my book "Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases) with @johnnicolson.bsky.social at the @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words. Read more: tinyurl.com/fznd4fpw

My book, "Overruled: Confronting Our Vanishing Democracy in 8 Cases, warned of a democratic recession. Unfortunately events proved me correct. But democracy is still in the game, we can and must restore it. Join me as I discuss how to do it with @johnnicolson.bsky.social tinyurl.com/yph8up8p

Democracy and the rule of law are both in retreat across the West. But aren't dead yet. I'll be discussing how to save democracy with John Nicolson at @fleetstquarter.bsky.social festival of words on 16 May. Followers of my socials can get 50% off with the code FOW50 tinyurl.com/9b3xudez

That UK Supreme Court decision Sam Fowles in the Guardian has a useful overview here of what the decision in the UK Supreme Court was and, as importantly, was not. Ironically, for anyone who thought this would bring supposed clarity: The court’s decision means there are now multiple legal classes…

The supreme court didn’t rule on the definition of ‘a woman’ – this is what its judgment does mean by Sam Fowles, Barrister, in The Guardian today.

The court *explicitly* does not attempt to define “woman”. No matter the harms this judgment will cause an endlessly beleaguered & oppressed minority (whilst doing nothing about the real source of gender-based violence), we should not allow lazy headline writers to claim it means more that it does.

I broke down the Supreme Court's judgement in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers for The Guardian. TLDR: The law is more complicated but relatively little has changed in practice. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Can "public morals" be a basis for environmental protection? According to a WTO Panel - yes! Important authority for how post-Brexit UK (tied up in a network of restrictive TIA) can still regulate to protect the environment. www.ejiltalk.org/the-right-to... #environmentallaw #internationallaw

Today the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) debates proposals to sanction politicians who lie. More than 2/3 of the public support strong measures. The ICDR has developed a simple and easy to implement mechanism - read our briefing here.

Great to join @jennifernadel.bsky.social of @compinpolitics.bsky.social at the Malvern Festival of Ideas to discuss how the rise of political lying has facilitated the rise of the far right and how we can stop it. (And sign some copies of "Overruled!")

Our democracy is under threat because capitalism is in crisis. Looking forward to joining @JenniferNadel of @CompInPolitics to discuss “Capitalism, Democracy, and Bullshit” on Sunday at the @MalvernFI. Some tics still available! www.malvernfestivalofideas.org.uk/session/capi...

Politicians posturing about the Sentencing Council Guidelines are (intentionally or not) promoting the far-right "two-tier justice" conspiracy theory. The FR want voters to believe that BAME get secret advantages so they can justify their anti-minority politics. Politicians should call them out.

Politicians are misleading the public about the Sentencing Council guidelines. The SCG says ALL defendants facing prison should have a PSR unless it's unnecessary. BAME people are statistically more likely to receive harsher sentences for the same crimes. So PSR is likely to be necessary.

This weekend at Malvern Festival of Ideas @jennifernadel.bsky.social joins barrister @samfowles.bsky.social to discuss how lies in the UK’s economy and democracy requires action. Covering the campaign to stop political deception and the Welsh Parliament’s new legislation to criminalise it.

The Senedd has published a report recommending that politicians who deliberately lie to the public should face criminal penalties. Matt Hutchings KC, @joecannonlondon.bsky.social & @samfowles.bsky.social have advised on the legality of these proposals. ➡️ cornerstonebarristers.com/welsh-parlia...

There has (ironically) been misinformation about the recommendations of the Senedd Committee report on political honesty. I set the record straight this week. Short 🧵 1. The Committee recommend criminalising politicians who make false statement of fact during election campaigns.

This is a bold and globally pioneering initiative from the Senedd. A complex and often legally technical challenge. There's still a long way to go, but cross-partisan support and a genuine focus on rebuilding trust in public life has won through. Quick thread... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I'm glad I could provide advice (in a small way) as member of the working group for the ICDR "White Paper" proposal to the Senedd inquiry—presented by the indomitable @samfowles.bsky.social www.icdr.co.uk/news/icdr-se...

The Lady Chief Justice was right to say that politicians shouldn't publicly attack judges. Parliament makes law but, once made, it applies equally to everyone and is applied by judges. It's very worrying that politicians are now trying to influence how the *independent* courts decide cases.

There's some real clarity in this analysis. Obviously it isn't gonna get through to the furiously hard of thinking but there's clarity, nonetheless.

"Populists" want people to believe that, court rulings in favour of asylum seekers, sets "asylum seekers' rights vs British people's rights". It's the opposite. Protecting the human rights of one is protecting the human rights of all. Populist's real goal is to make people give up their freedom.

Could lying politicians finally be held to account? Today the Senedd Standards Committee published its report essentially adopting the ICDR Model for a "truth law" to sanction politicians who deliberately lie to the public. Short 🧵: 1. A truthful public debate is essential for democracy.

If you have not seen the documentary Coded Bias, I recommend it: www.imdb.com/title/tt1139...

AI is dangerous because AI is designed by humans. It replicates our prejudices and flaws on a post-industrial scale (as the UK's disastrous use in immigration showed). This doesn't mean we shouldn't embrace its potential. But we need real regulation, not just of AI , but of the people behind it.

Labour wants an easy relationship with the incoming US administration. But the party and the country will suffer if Starmer fails to hold Trump to account, writes @samfowles.bsky.social. www.prospectmagazine...

Honoured that my legal advice on the UK's legal duties re. Gaza was discussed in Parliament in yesterday's Westminster Hall debate. @globaljusticenow.bsky.social has made my full advice available online www.globaljustice.org.uk/wp-content/u...

UK court today overturned the govt's decision to return two child asylum seekers to Gaza. The court relied on the fundamental right to family life and the exceptional risk to the children in Gaza. Today I argued that the court protected basic humanity, not just fundamental rights. #refugees #gaza

Labour wants an easy relationship with the incoming US administration. But the party and the country will suffer if Starmer fails to hold Trump to account, writes @samfowles.bsky.social. www.prospectmagazine...

📢 Exciting News: Cornerstone Barristers appoints Nadia Biles Davies as new CEO! Nadia brings a wealth of experience as a results-driven leader, with a proven track record in strategic growth & innovation. Read more about her appointment: cornerstonebarristers.com/cornerstone-... #Leadership #Law

Labour wants an easy relationship with the incoming US administration. But the party and the country will suffer if Starmer fails to hold Trump to account, writes @samfowles.bsky.social. www.prospectmagazine...

Privileged to appear in this important case in which the Supreme Court is asked to determine the circumstance in which government is required to disclose important information to the public. cornerstonebarristers.com/sam-fowles-a...

Labour wants an easy relationship with the incoming US administration, but the party and the country will suffer if Starmer fails to hold Trump to account, writes @samfowles.bsky.social. www.prospectmagazine...

Starmer’s conciliation policy towards Trump actively harms both Labour’s political hopes and UK democracy, writes @samfowles.bsky.social. “The prime minister’s public obsequiousness legitimises Trump and the politics for which he stands.” www.prospectmagazine...

Indeed

Labour wants an easy relationship with the incoming US administration. But the party and the country will suffer if Starmer fails to hold Trump to account, writes @samfowles.bsky.social. www.prospectmagazine...

This is a really good piece by @samfowles.bsky.social. Lays out in stark terms the disaster that awaits Starmer (and Britain) should he continue his policy of cosying up to Trump.

Starmer’s conciliation policy towards Trump actively harms both Labour’s political hopes and UK democracy, writes @samfowles.bsky.social. “The prime minister’s public obsequiousness legitimises Trump and the politics for which he stands.” www.prospectmagazine...

New report finds that the gov is failing to meet its own legal requirements to protect the environment and the environment is declining at such a rate that it will soon be impossible. Gov's plan: Tear up the planning regs that protect the environment. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Keir Starmer’s conciliation of Donald Trump is bad politics and bad policy. It legitimises Trump’s far-right politics for which Trump stands and it won’t protect British (or Labour’s) interests. My latest column for @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/690...

Please find the letter in full below: (6/6)

Thank you to all the signatories calling for truth and integrity in politics. Our supporters bring together a diverse group of academics, politicians, journalists, and activists, united around the need for greater honesty in our politics. #CompassionInPolitics (5/6)

Democracy depends on trust, and trust depends on truth. With integrity in politics under threat, we urge Westminster to follow Wales’ lead and enact meaningful reform to ensure politicians uphold the truth. #CompassionInPolitics (4/6)

A law barring politicians who deliberately deceive the public has overwhelming support—72% in @opiniumresearch.bsky.social polling & over 200,000 people have signed our @ukchange.bsky.social petition(change.org/p/uk-parliam...). It’s time Westminster acted to uphold truth in public office. (3/6)