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

Peerages and Membership of the House of Lords - a briefing

Addition 30 April 2026

The House of Commons Library has published a Research Briefing (author David Torrance) -

Peerages and membership of the House of Lords - House of Commons Library

The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 18 March 2026. This means that at the end of the 2024-26 parliamentary session, the remaining hereditary peers will no longer be entitled to sit and vote in the House of Lords by virtue of their hereditary peerage. The Upper House will instead comprise only life peers and the Lords Spiritual.

This briefing looks at peerages in general, both hereditary and life.

The State Opening of Parliament is on 13 May 2026.

Electing a Modern Second Chamber – Electoral Reform Society – ERS

Addition - 30 April 2026:

Covid-19 Inquiry - Fourth Report published

The Covid - 19 Inquiry has published its fourth report - 

Inquiry Module Reports - UK Covid-19 Inquiry

The report follows the Inquiry's investigation into ‘Vaccines and therapeutics of the United Kingdom’ 

It considers and makes recommendations on a range of issues relating to the development of Covid-19 vaccines and the implementation of the vaccine rollout programme in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Issues relating to the treatment of Covid-19 through both existing and new medications were examined in parallel.

The report concludes that the development and rollout of Covid-19 vaccines was “an extraordinary feat” and the vaccine and therapeutic programmes were “two of the success stories of the pandemic” – but that governments and health services must now work to rebuild public trust in vaccines.

Overall Covid vaccine programme a "success story" but public trust in vaccines must be rebuilt, Inquiry finds - UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Of particular legal interest is the Inquiry finding that the current Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme is not sufficiently supportive of those who suffered serious harm as a result of vaccination and requires urgent reform. The detail of this is to be found in Chapter 8 of the Inquiry's fourth report.