Palestine Action - Supreme Court UK gives permission for an appeal

Huda Ammori, the co-founder of Palestine Action has won permission from the Supreme Court of the UK to challenge the proscription of the organisation.

The direct action group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July 2025 but its co-founder has been fighting to have the ban overturned amid a mass civil disobedience campaign.

In February, the high court ruled that the ban was disproportionate and unlawful but its decision was overturned by the court of appeal last month.

The case will be heard in the final quarter of this year.

The exact legal basis for the appeal has yet to be published.  Two grounds of appeal were put forwards but the court has allowed the appeal on just one of the grounds. 

Supreme court says Palestine Action co-founder can challenge ban on group | Palestine Action | The Guardian

Law and Lawyers: Proscription of Palestine Action is lawful - Court of Appeal

Prison Overcrowding ~ Prime Minister orders review of the 33% scheme in the Sentencing Act 2026

The prisons of England and Wales are overcrowded.  

Prison "useable operational capacity" for England and Wales is published by HM Government - Prison population: monthly prison figures 2026 - GOV.UK. The data also includes the numbers of serving prisoners.  Further information is available at Prisons data - Justice Data.

The following shows the prison population by offence group as it stood at 31 March 2026. 

Safeguarding the Constitution ~ a new report argues for action to protect democracy

Essentially as a result of history, the UK does not have a formal codified constitution but it does have constitutional arrangements which include the Legislative Supremacy of Parliament.

As Parliament itself notes - 'Parliamentary sovereignty is a principle of the UK constitution. It makes Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK, which can create or end any law. Generally, the courts cannot overrule its legislation and no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change. Parliamentary sovereignty is the most important part of the UK constitution.'

A weakness of that principle is that whoever controls Parliament has, in effect, the ability to try to enact ANY law they wish. In law, there is nothing that Parliament cannot change but there are both practical and political constraints.

One Parliament has enacted legislation there is no court with power to declare the legislation unconstitutional.  

Furthermore,

The International Criminal Court - prosecutor removed from office

 A short statement from the International Criminal Court (ICC) notes -

"the decision adopted by the Special Session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) on 24 July 2026 to remove the Prosecutor from office, having found that he has committed serious misconduct and serious breach of duty, as reflected in the ASP’s press release on the same day ...

The Deputy Prosecutors will continue to provide the leadership, management and direction of the Office of the Prosecutor ....."

Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (July 2025)

On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave its Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change. 

The opinion was requested on 29 March 2023 by the United Nations General Assembly - (Resolution 77/276).

The Resolution requested opinion on two questions

(a) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations? 

(b) What are the legal consequences

Criticism of the Attorney General's handling of the recent unduly lenient case

A post of 2 July considered the Court of Appeal judgment in the "unduly lenient" reference by the Attorney General - Law and Lawyers: The King and X Y Z (References under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988) [2026] EWCA Crim (845)

It was noted that -  

' ... the court made some comments about the administration of justice more generally. It expressed its concern about the inaccurate reporting and misinformed and inappropriate commentary by members of Parliament, the media and elsewhere that preceded this review and whilst legal proceedings were still ongoing. 

The court was particularly critical of the conduct of the Crown Prosecution Service, which published a formal press release following the sentencing hearing which they knew, or should have known, was neither a fair nor accurate representation of the factual basis for sentence. It was this inaccurate press release that appeared to be the root of the misconceptions that followed, in particular the misconception that the offending involved a knife-point rape and that C2 had been forced to give up her phone to avoid tracking. This portrayed the offending as even more serious than it already was. It took almost three weeks for the Crown Prosecution Service to correct the inaccuracies.

Whether

Police detention - how long may it last?

Following arrest, for how long may a suspect be held in Police detention?

The basic limits are set out section 41 to 43 of PACE - Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 section 41, section 42, section 43. The maximum time is 96 hours and (usually) runs from the time of arrest.

When an individual is arrested under under terrorism legislation (e.g. Terrorism Act 2000 section 41) it becomes possible for detention to extend up to 14 days. 

Ann Widdecombe:

On 9 July the former Member of Parliament

Ruth Ellis granted conditional pardon

Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be executed in England for murder and has now been granted a conditional pardon in light of evidence that she was a victim of domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour - Ruth Ellis, last woman hanged in UK, granted posthumous conditional pardon | UK criminal justice | The Guardian

Back in 2020, this blog looked at the case - Law and Lawyers: Looking back - Ruth Ellis.

The case is a reminder of the rigour of the common law of murder as it was back in 1955.. 

The grant of a pardon is an exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy - ​The royal prerogative of mercy | Feature | Law Gazette

Lawrence and others -v- Associated Newspapers Limited - comprehensive defeat for the claimants

Seven claimants, including Prince Harry (Duke of Sussex) brought claims against Associated Newspapers Ltd (publishers of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sundays and MailOnline. The case consumed a considerable amount of High Court time including a 46-day trial which took place between 19 January and 31 March 2026.

The claimants alleged misuse of private information and, in one case, breach of confidence arising from unlawful information gathering (UIG).

Misuse of private information is a tort (civil wrong) and is discussed in an article

Parliamentary Standards - investigations

Nigel Farage - leader of the Reform UK party has announced that he will resign as MP for Clacton and will contest the necessary by-election.

Mr Farage was under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over financial matters.

How an MP "resigns" is described in this previous post - Law and Lawyers: MP appointed to the "Chiltern Hundreds" - (Stoke, Desborough and Burnham).

What happens to the investigation is covered by the "Procedural Protocol" 

Mohindru KC - High Court judgment

Anurag Mohindru is a King's Counsel (KC) - one of those lawyers (usually, but not always, barristers) granted that pre-eminent status by the Crown. They are appointed via a process set out at King's Counsel Appointments | Excellence in Advocacy

Mohindru was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2004 and was appointed KC ("took silk") in 2020. 

Mohindru appealed to the High Court against an order of a disciplinary tribunal of the Bar Standards Board (BSB) that he be disbarred. The BSB decision was in October 2025 and the conduct in question took place over a short period of time in February 2013.

The High Court judgment is at - Mohindru v The Bar Standards Board [2026] EWHC 1604 (Admin) (30 June 2026).

The details of the conduct

Calls for deportation of Shabir Ahmed - what legal hurdles may apply?

A report by the BBC (2 July 2026) tells us that - 'The ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang that targeted girls as young as 12 has been released from prison.

Shabir Ahmed, 73, who was known as 'Daddy' by his victims, was jailed for 22 years in August 2012 for a raft of child sexual offences including rape.

This week his victims were told he would be released on licence and despite earlier promises, could not be deported due to a 55-year-old law.

But Sir Keir Starmer has now asked the home secretary to review the case amid calls for the law to be changed to allow him to removed from the country.'

Rochdale grooming gang leader released from prison - BBC News

All right-thinking people

The King and X Y Z (References under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988) [2026] EWCA Crim (845)

A Previous post looked at the the sentencing of young offenders for very serious offences -  Law and Lawyers: Youth Justice and sentencing for very serious offences. 

The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) has given judgment in X, Y and Z - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary [2026] EWCA Crim (845) - Lady Carr LCJ, Edis LJ, Norton J. 

The case concerned three offenders, X, Y and Z who were convicted (after a 29 day trial in the Crown Court) of rape and other sexual offending committed at Fordingbridge, Hampshire against two separate complainants, C1 and C2 on two separate occasions. 

The first incident was on 26 November 2024 (involving all three offenders) and the second incident on 17 January 2025 (involving X and Y only).

Each

Recent announcements: Murder sentencing, Law Commission, Asylum

1) Sentencing for murder: 

The Secretary of State for Justice (David Lammy MP) has announced his intention to alter sentencing for murder ….

Justice for victims as domestic killers to face longer behind bars - GOV.UK

‘Heinous offenders who kill their partner, or ex, could face an additional 10 years in prison, under a change announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Grooming Gangs - The Statutory Inquiry and notes about some other work

The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs was set up in June 2025 and the Chair (Baroness Anne Longfield) and two panel members (Zoë Billingham and Eleanor Kelly) were appointed in December 2025.

About the Inquiry – The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs

Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs - GOV.UK (9 December 2025)

10 years since the Brexit Referendum

Ten years ago today the UK held a referendum at which the voter had the choice to say Leave (the EU) or remain. The ballot paper did not set out the form that Brexit might take and the type of Brexit was hardly mentioned in the campaign preceding the referendum.

Obiter J - who then authored this blog - was personally opposed to Brexit because he thought that it severely limited life opportunities for the young. In his extensive "blogging" on the topic, he avoided seeking to persuade anyone either way. His choice was to present factual information, look at the twists and turns of the campaign, and comment on the notable legal cases that arose along the way.

ObiterJ's numerous posts about Brexit remain on this blog - please see

Law and Lawyers: Brexit Library - Key materials

As we know, the referendum result was close (overall 52% to 48%) with Scotland and Northern Ireland - two key parts of the UK - voting Remain. 

Rajiv Menon KC - in the matter of potential contempt proceedings

Updated 1 July 2026

On 22 June, Mr Justice Johnson decided that a different High Court judge should determine whether contempt proceedings should be instigated against Rajiv Menon - see Re Rajiv Menon KC. 

The background to this matter is set out in an earlier post - Law and Lawyers: In the matter of contempt proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC - Court of Appeal (Civil Division) [2026] EWCA Civ 573

Garden Court Statement: Rajiv Menon KC | Garden Court Chambers

Law and Lawyers: R v Charlotte Head and others / Criminal Damage at Elbit's Bristol premises in 2024

Update 1 July 2026:

In the matter of contempt proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Communications Act 2003 section 127

Doughty Street Chambers have published - Brighton woman acquitted on charge of persistent emails to cause annoyance to Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and local MP about Israel’s conduct in Gaza |

The article states - 'A Brighton woman, CK, was charged with a single offence under s. 127(2)(c) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003, for emails she sent on 10 and 11 June 2025 to senior politicians. The charge concerned emails sent by CK to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and her local MP Peter Kyle MP, expressing concerns about the conflict in Gaza.' 

R v Charlotte Head and others / Criminal Damage at Elbit's Bristol premises in 2024

The Judiciary has published the sentencing remarks of Mr Justice Johnson in the criminal damage case for which four individuals were convicted.

The remarks and a press summary may be read at R -v- Charlotte Head and others - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. There is also a judgment addressing the question of whether the defendants’ offence of criminal damage had a “terrorist connection.” The judge held that the criminal damage did have such a connection.

As explained in a previous post, the finding that there was a terrorist connection entitled the judge to increase the sentences - Previous post on section 69 of the Sentencing Act 2020.

The defendants were Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Zainab Rajwani. Each of them was convicted by a jury of an offence of criminal damage. Samuel Corner, was also convicted of an offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm - (serious spinal injury to a Police Officer).

The sentences were - 

Proscription of Palestine Action is lawful - Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has held that the proscription of Palestine Action is lawful.

The judgment and a Press Summary may be read at - Home Secretary -v- Huda Ammori - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

The Court concluded - ' The proscription of an organisation like Palestine Action is highly controversial. But it is a fundamental mistake to overlook the fact that Palestine Action overtly promotes unlawful violence amounting to terrorism. It is not a direct action civil disobedience protest group operating transparently in the open. It is a covert organisation which avoids the detection and prosecution of those using violence to destroy property and cause injury. The Home Secretary had the institutional competence and the democratic accountability to make the decision. The Proscription Decision was consistent with the Home Secretary’s Proscription Policy and was proportionate. It was not unlawful.'

Previous post (14 February 2026) noting the High Court's judgment - Law and Lawyers: Palestine Action ~ judicial review. The quashing order made by the High Court is set aside.

Endangering another during a sea crossing to the United Kingdom

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 2 December 2025 but most of its provisions come into force when commenced by Regulations issued by the Secretary of State.

Section 21 of the Act created a new offence of endangering another during a sea crossing to the United Kingdom.  In fact, section 21 amended section 24 of the Immigration Act 1971 so it is to that Act that we now look for the detail of the offence. The new offence was brought into force on 5 January 2026.

In the Crown Court at Canterbury, two men are to be sentenced for the offence - Tajik Mohammad (an Afghan aged 32) and Alnour Mohamed Ali (a Sudanese age 27). They both

R v J, N and E - Transcript published of judge's remarks

The sentencing, for rape, of young offenders resulted in an enormous volume of critical public comment. 

Previous post 26 May - Law and Lawyers: Court of Appeal to review sentences imposed on young offenders

Previous post 31 May - Law and Lawyers: Youth Justice and sentencing for very serious offences

The Prime Minister said that he was "appalled" at the sentences - Starmer 'appalled' by case of boys spared jail after raping teenage girls - BBC News.  Several other politicians could not resist the lure of Twitter (X) - The Independent ()22 May). There was no

Supreme Court, by a majority, overrules the Cheshire West test for Deprivation of Liberty

In A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of a devolution issue under paragraph 34 of Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 [2026] UKSC 16, a seven member Panel of the Supreme Court has unanimously overruled the 2014 majority decision in Cheshire West.   The judgment is long and detailed.  A summary by the Supreme Court can be found here, and a more detailed summary prepared by members of 39 Essex Chambers is here. 

There is no ‘grace period’ for implementation of the judgment and so the approach in Cheshire West must not be followed with immediate effect. The many guidance documents which refer to it need to be read in that light. 

Links:

R v Vickrum Singh Digwa ~ Sentencing remarks

The judiciary has published sentencing remarks in the case of R v Vicrum Singh Digwa -

R -v- Vickrum Singh Digwa - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

This case has proved to be particularly controversial because of Police conduct at the scene of the murder.

On 3 December 2025, Digwa murdered Henry Nowak (aged 18). Digwa was aged 22 at the time.

The sentence was one of Life Imprisonment. A minimum term of 20 years and 190 days was set before there can be any consideration of release. 

Release is far from automatic and is a matter for the Parole Board and Secretary of State.

It should be noted that the minimum term for murder is set by Act of Parliament and not by sentencing council guidelines. The judge applied Schedule 21 of the Sentencing Act 2020. I

The High Court's Chancery Division to be replaced by a new Business and Property Division

The government, in a written statement to Parliament, has said - 

'The Government is pleased to support a judiciary-led initiative to modernise the structure of the High Court through the establishment of a new Business and Property Division. This historic modernisation will ensure the UK remains a global hub for corporate litigation.

It will bring together the current Business and Property Courts into a single division, which will replace the Chancery Division.

The Business and Property Courts are

The Rwanda Scheme - Permanent Court of Arbitration rejects financial claims against UK

Readers will doubtless remember the "Rwanda Scheme" put in place by the Conservative Party when it was in power prior to the general election of 4 July 2024.

A Treaty was concluded between the UK and Rwanda which may be seen at Agreement between UK and Rwanda for the provision of an asylum partnership to strengthen international commitments on the protection of refugees and migrants (publishing.service.gov.uk). 

The Agreement contained provision (Article 22) to refer disputes to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a body created in 1899 and which sits at The Hague. . 

Following

Youth Justice and sentencing for very serious offences

Youth Justice has a long and interesting history. The website of Beyond Youth Custody has a Youth justice timeline setting out key developments from 1792 to 2014. The timeline was prepared by Dr Tim Bateman and Professor Neal Hazel. 

Overall, the trend has been from punishments (often very severe) to sentencing aimed at rehabilitation of offenders taking into account the lack of maturity of young people. 

In England and Wales the age of criminal responsibility is set at 10 years. This has applied since 1963 and continues to be a point of controversy. It is discussed in the latest government White Paper - Cutting Youth Crime. Changing Young Lives.  (The age in Scotland is now 12 - see HERE). 

When

The Manchester Airport assault case: retrials and the law: public comment

On 20 December 2024 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised charges against two men who were involved in a serious incident with Police Officers at Manchester Airport - Charges authorised over Manchester Airport incident | The Crown Prosecution Service (please read in full).

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz was charged with section 47 Actual Bodily Harm x 2, assault against an emergency worker, and common assault (against a member of the public). 

Muhammed Amaad was charged with section 47 Actual Bodily Harm.

A trial was held at the Crown Court in Liverpool

The 'unduly lenient' legislation ~ a recent Court of Appeal decision

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) decided a reference by the Attorney General under the "unduly lenient" legislation (Criminal Justice Act 1988) - 'If it appears to the Attorney General - (a) that the sentencing of a person in a proceeding in the Crown Court has been unduly lenient; and (b) that the case is one to which this Part of this Act applies, he may, with the leave of the Court of Appeal, refer the case to them for them to review the sentencing of that person .....'

The report of the case is at Riley, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 158 (04 February 2026)

The respondent (R) was 18 years of age when, in June 2023, he committed an offence of assault by penetration, contrary to section 2(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The maximum sentence available is life imprisonment. The victim ("C") of the assault was aged 14 at the time of the offence.

On 5 September 2025, in the Crown Court

Court of Appeal to review sentences imposed on young offenders

It has been announced that the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) will review the sentences on the young offenders convicted of rape.

Court of appeal to review rape sentences of three teenage boys | UK criminal justice | The Guardian (26 May 2026)

The Guardian report provides more detail about the cases. The report states:

The sentences relate to the rape of two girls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January last year.

Youth Justice - sentencing for serious offences // Government's White Paper (May 2026)

The BBC has reported - Starmer 'appalled' by case of boys spared jail after raping teenage girls - BBC News (24 May 2026) and Girl raped by boys spared jail tells BBC judge's decision was like 'rock in my face' - BBC News 

The reports states - 'Two girls, then aged 15 and 14, were raped in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January 2025, by two 14-year-olds. Another boy, then 13, was also convicted for his involvement in the second attack.  ..... At a sentencing hearing for the boys on Thursday, Judge Nicholas Rowland said he wanted to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily". Instead, the boys were given Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YROs).

The article also tells us that the Law Officers are considering

MP appointed to the "Chiltern Hundreds" - (Stoke, Desborough and Burnham).

On 18 May 2026 the Chancellor of the Exchequer appointed Joshua Cameron Simons to be Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern - Three Hundreds of Chiltern - GOV.UK. 

Mr Simons had agreed to vacate his seat as Member for Makerfield so that the present Mayor of Greater Manchester (Andy Burnham) could, if selected as a candidate by the Labour Party, stand for election at a by-election. The politics behind this are not the concern of this blog but the aim is to try to secure the Labour Party leadership for Burnham and he would then displace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. 

The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 section 4 provides that - ' ... the office of steward or bailiff of Her Majesty’s three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham, or of the Manor of Northstead, shall be treated as included among the offices described in Part III of Schedule 1 to this Act.'

The effect is that the holder of one of those offices is disqualified for membership of the House of Commons.

As far as I know, there is no connection between Andy Burnham and the fact that one of the three Chiltern Hundreds is known as Burnham  - see Chiltern Hundreds - Wikipedia.

The European Convention on Human Rights - Chişinău Declaration - 15 May 2026

 

The 46 member states of the Council of Europe, including UK, have adopted a non-binding political declaration clarifying the operation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), with particular relevance to immigration and asylum law.

The Declaration is referred to as the Chişinău Declaration following its adoption in the Moldovan capital. It signals a shared position among member states on how the Convention should be interpreted and applied, including by domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights.

New Council of Europe declaration clarifies ECHR interpretation in immigration and asylum law | Electronic Immigration Network

and see the UK government Press Release

Reforms to secure British borders to be agreed by Foreign Ministers in Moldova this week - GOV.UK

The Elbit Systems offenders and Sentencing Act 2020 section 69

Last week, in the Crown Court at Woolwich, Leona Kamio (30), Samuel Corner (23), Fatema Rajwani (21), and Charlotte Head (29) were convicted of criminal damage committed in August 2024 at premises of Elbit Systems Ltd. The jury verdict was unanimous. Samuel Corner was also convicted under section 20 offence of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. The four are yet to be sentenced by the trial judge - Mr Justice Johnson - and, in English criminal law, sentencing is entirely a matter for the judge and not a jury.

It is reported that section 69 of the Sentencing Act 2020 is to be applied to their sentencing. 

Section 69 is headed "Terrorist Connection" and is within Part 4 of the 2020 Act (Exercising the court's discretion) Chapter 3 (Seriousness and Determining Sentence). Terrorist Connection is one of a number of aggravating factors set out in Chapter 3.

The original section 69:

The original section 69 came into force on 1 December 2020 and stated:

In the matter of contempt proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC - Court of Appeal (Civil Division) [2026] EWCA Civ 573

In a previous post  (6 May 2026) it was noted that contempt of court had been alleged against Rajiv Menon KC. 

In December 2025, a trial was taking place in the Crown Court at Woolwich before Johnson J (“the trial judge”). Six defendants were charged with offences arising out of an incident on 6 August 2024 at a factory in Filton, Bristol, occupied and operated by Elbit Systems Ltd. 

Rajiv Menon KC was leading counsel representing Charlotte Head, the first defendant named on the indictment. 

There were rulings of law before and during the trial, including in relation to what is sometimes called jury equity; to the defence of lawful excuse to a count of criminal damage; and to the relevance and admissibility of certain evidence. 

 Following submissions as to the legal directions to be given to the jury, the trial judge gave a ruling on 22 December 2025 in which he said ...

Supreme Court of the UK rules in favour of government in Legacy case

2023 Legislation and a Troubles Bill:

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 responded to the legacy of “The Troubles”, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland that began in the late 1960s and continued until the Belfast (or Good Friday) Agreement of 10 April 1998. More than 3,500 people were killed during the Troubles, with approximately 40,000 injured. Around 1,200 killings remain unsolved. 

The 2023 Act created the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (“ICRIR”), whose functions include carrying out reviews of deaths and serious injuries caused by conduct forming part of the Troubles.  

Inquisitorial reviews by the ICRIR have replaced police investigations, investigations by the Police Ombudsman, inquests and civil claims relating to Troubles-related conduct, and the 2023 Act has brought existing investigations, inquests and claims to an end.

The Act also introduced

Four convicted of criminal damage at premises of Elbit Systems Ltd + Action against defence counsel

On 5 May 2026, four Palestine Action activists were convicted of criminal damage committed at premises of Elbit Systems Ltd which, at the time (6 August 2024), were located at Filton (Bristol). I understand that the premises are now closed - The Guardian 6 September 2025. 

Elbit Systems is an Israeli arms producer including advanced drone technology.

The four convicted were Leona Kamio (30), Samuel Corner (23), Fatema Rajwani (21), and Charlotte Head (29). The jury returned unanimous verdicts.

Samuel Corner was acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent (Offences against the Person Act 1861 section 18) for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer but he was convicted (by a majority of 11 to one) of the section 20 offence.

Two other defendants, Jordan Devlin (31), and Zoe Rogers (22), were acquitted of criminal damage.

During the trial, the

Rule of Law - House of Lords Constitution Committee 13th Report of Sessions 2024-26

Almost a year ago, this blog published  The "Rule of Law" - Notes for students in whjch it was noted that there is no precise definition of the term Rule of Law. The post pointed to various authoritative sources of information about that the Rule of Law, as a concept, ought to contain in modern times.

In November 2025, the House of Lords Constitution Committee published - Rule of law: holding the line between anarchy and tyranny - Committees - UK Parliament. This is the Committee's 13th Report of Session 2024-26. 

Jonathan Sumption, the former Justice of the Supreme Court, in his book "The Challenges of Democracy and the Rule of Law" notes that there are rival approaches to the rule of law which are referred to as the 'thin' and 'thick' definitions.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill:

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (previous post June 2025) has run out of time as the end of the 2024-26 Parliamentary session approaches. The result is that the Bill will not carry over to the next session. 

The King's Speech, marking the start of the next session of Parliament, is to be on 13 May 2026.

The full Parliamentary history of the Bill may be seen at Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - Parliamentary Bills. The Bill is a Private Members' Bill sponsored by Kim Leadbeater MP and Lord Falconer of Thoroton. It was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 October 2024 and completed its time in the Commons with Third Reading on 30 June 2025.  Transferred to the House of Lords, the Bill reached committee stage by 14 November 2025. Largely due to members of the House of Lords moving numerous amendments, the Bill did not complete committee stage.

Proponents of the Bill