The Secret Barrister

Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.

Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I’m on the lookout for barristers that could give up 40 minutes 1310-1350 on one day over next 2 weeks to train a pair of students in public speaking online for Kalisher. No prep required. If you could help please DM me asap.

Reform is a party that says things that appeal to racists, fields racist candidates, fawns over racist world leaders, made a convicted racist guest of honour at their conference, and whose leader refuses to outright deny having racially abused people.

If only there were a word for such a party.

Just the good, friendly, morale-boosting kind of racism.

Stop the Revolution Juries in jeopardy - what do judges think?

The government intends to reduce the right to jury trial. I think this is a bad thing. But what do the judges think? open.substack.com/pub/counselo...

this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself

it is also free to read

youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...

This government has not taken a single meaningful step to tackle the causes of the horrendous inefficiencies in the criminal justice system, instead rushing to dismantle trial by jury.

Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.

Ministers are not listening.

Outstanding scenes.

It's been so long since I've read a crime thriller that my investigative skills were getting rusty. This absolute gem—and The Secret Barrister's first novel, no less—is the perfect way to get my heart racing again... without, you know, being the one on trial.
@barristersecret.bsky.social

Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!

A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.

(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)

>

The letter the BBC could send back to Trump A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim

NEW

The letter the BBC could send back to Trump

A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim

By me. Enjoy.

emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...

Clear out toys now!

Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round

A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak

NEW

A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC

The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak

By me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-close-lo... (Substack)

(Non-Substack link to follow.)

Hurrah! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you very much Franck!

Flashing Red Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"

New post just out:

Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".

No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.

It desperately needs a new approach.

(£/free trial)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...

I feel like I could live with the brass neck - it is the seemingly successful way that he and others have brainwashed themselves into thinking “our crumbling justice system” has an explanation beyond “we didn’t spend enough money on it” that I can’t stand.

Thank you so much Nick!

When I depart this profession - and I think we all know it’s only a matter of time - let this please be my epitaph.

A collage of 5 pictures. Harvey is a cat sleeping next to law books. Camembert and Brie are kittens playing with a barrister wig box. Callum is a dog looking over a constitutional law book. Lily and Bella are two dogs standing on law books. Pyro is a chameleon wearing a tiny barrister wig and standing on law books

VOTING HAS STARTED FOR NOVEMBER!
Cast your vote now...
lawpawcalendar.com/vote-now-for...

Behold my Hallowe’en name.

Thank you Michael!

Buckle up.

Last chance to enter! Send your photographs to BillableHourCalendar@outlook.com today!!

Are you ready for Halloween? Terrify trick or treaters with the spectre of an enormous legal bill with our double-headed bat-winged monstrosity and help @savechildrenuk.bsky.social

I apologise for my earlier comments. They were phrased poorly and unintentionally revealed what goes on in my head.

She Who Laughs Last? Pets, Perpetuities, and Other Problems with the Last Will and Testament of Taylor A. Swift - Equity's Darling A legal analysis of Taylor Swift’s fictional will from Anti-Hero, exploring pets, perpetuities, probate pitfalls and the perils of home-drafted wills under English law.

A deep-dive into the fictional will and murder-for-inheritance scenario in Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero through the lens of English law — private purpose trusts, certainties, perpetuities, forfeiture, butterfly lifespans, cat pictures, and capricious pet bequests.

equitysdarling.co.uk/2025/10/23/s...