David Lammy rejects higher pay rise for judges amid recruitment crisis Legal David Lammy turned down an independent recommendation for a higher judicial pay increase, instead approving a 3.5 per cent rise amid government efforts to tackle recruitment challenges for senior judges. The Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) report, published last week, recommended a 3.8 per cent pay increase across the judiciary, estimated to cost taxpayers around [...]
Tax judge criticises ‘fabricated AI cases’ cited in appeal against HMRC Legal A former West Sussex restaurateur has avoided contempt of court after using AI hallucinations as evidence in his £51,000 tax battle against HMRC. HMRC had sent letters to Omar Rafique, former director of Karma Lounge in Worthing, in 2024 demanding payment of over £51,200 and warning that he could face bankruptcy if the debt was [...]
Backlogs and political attacks risk erosion of rule of law, Lords claim Legal The rule of law in the UK is being weakened, and everyone must take steps to protect it against further erosion, says a damming House of Lords report. The ‘Rule of law: holding the line between anarchy and tyranny’ report, published on Thursday, identified three areas contributing to the decline: social/cultural erosion, institutional failings in [...]
Legal profession hits back at Robert Jenrick threat against ‘activist’ judges October 13, 2025 Legal bodies representing over 250,000 lawyers have hit back against “politically motivated attacks” on the legal sector as “irresponsible and dangerous”, a week after the shadow justice secretary pledged to sack ‘activist’ judges. Last Tuesday, speaking at the Tory Conference, Robert Jenrick announced a sweeping crackdown on what he describes as “pro-migration bias” in the [...]
Jenrick pledges to sack judges accused of pro-migration activism October 7, 2025 Robert Jenrick announced a sweeping crackdown on what he describes as “pro-migration bias” in the judiciary, vowing to remove so-called “activist” judges. Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, claims to have identified more than 30 judges, both full-time and part-time, who previously volunteered for or provided free legal services to open-border organisations. He told the crowd [...]
Harman review: “Career-limiting or career-ending” sanctions needed for bully judges and predatory barristers September 8, 2025 A damning report by Harriet Harman KC has found the Bar does “not always” uphold its high standards when it comes to bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. Harman, chair of the Independent Review, stated in her 128-page report on the Bar that there is a “culture of impunity” for those at the top who engage [...]
Judges can’t save Britain from bad politicians September 2, 2025 It is deeply depressing that the British state has failed so comprehensively to police the nation’s borders that local councils find themselves with no other recourse than asking whether the hotels housing new arrivals have the requisite planning consents to do so, says Andrew Lomas Amidst the sound and fury surrounding the court case brought [...]
Lord Mayor set to call for robust international standards in AI at Judges Dinner October 22, 2024 The Lord Mayor is set to call for robust international standards to ensure ethical AI development , as the judicial system continues to integrate the new tech
The case for the defence of barristers’ wigs May 22, 2024 Barristers’ wigs are the latest front in the war on the eccentricity and traditions that make this country unique, says James Price “What do ties matter, Jeeves, at a time like this?” asks Bertie Wooster during one of his many misadventures. Jeeves, as omniscient and fundamentally right about everything as ever, replies, quite correctly: “There [...]