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21 January 2022
Issue: 7963 / Categories: Legal News , Constitutional law , Human rights
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NLJ this week: ‘Isolationist mindset’ on display in government’s approach to human rights

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Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC laments the direction of travel of the UK government when it comes to human rights and turns his attention to the current Lord Chancellor’s stated views, in this week’s NLJ

In an excoriating piece, Bindman notes the government’s proposals for reforming the Human Rights Act 1998 ignores the advice of the Gross review, in fact ‘flatly contradicting Gross’s recommendations’.

He warns that, rather than wanting to remove weaknesses in the law, the government appears motivated by an ‘isolationist mindset at the very time when international commerce, climate change, the spread of disease, and even the very survival of life on the planet demand maximal commitment to international coordination and jurisdiction’.

Bindman writes: ‘The government must not throw away Britain’s long-established role as champion of the rule of law and human rights worldwide. The government’s retreat in the opposite direction is paradoxical. It betrays a proud tradition. It is inward-looking and isolationist.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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