Supreme Court
Robert Bork 1927-2012
Robert Bork was not only an extraordinary and effective jurist, he was also a crucial figure in American conservatism. In reporting news of his death certain media are – as… Continue reading
19 CommentsThe Human Rights Act Protects the Innocent
Meanwhile, in the day’s other Supreme Court judgement, the justices struck down the government’s ban on non-EU spouses under the age of 21 coming to live in Britain. This legislation… Continue reading
6 CommentsThe Case of Hope vs Salmond
I’m not convinced the Scottish parliament’s 2009 bill permitting individuals with pleural plaques to sue for asbestos-related damages was a good law. Nor ca one be wholly comfortable with retrospective… Continue reading
4 CommentsAn EU ruling that Cameron must fight
A showdown with the EU may come sooner than we expect. The European Commission has today threatened to sue David Cameron’s government unless it starts letting EU citizens come here… Continue reading
86 CommentsRick Perry’s Federalism: Another Lost Cause
Dan Drezner tweeted this afternoon that Barack Obama vs Rick Perry would be the starkest choice between rival philosophies and policies since Johnson-Goldwater in 1964. That might well be true,… Continue reading
9 CommentsShoesmith strikes at Balls and executive power
Sharon Shoesmith cut into Ed Balls on the Today programme this morning. She said: "Why don’t we ask Ed Balls why he acted on November 12, 2008 when he knew… Continue reading
70 CommentsMichael Gove to appeal Shoesmith verdict
Whitehall sources say Michael Gove will appeal the Court of Appeals judgement which decided Sharon Shoesmith’s dismissal was so ‘legally flawed as to be null and void’ to the Supreme… Continue reading
34 CommentsClegg’s coup
Libya is not the only scene of conflict today. Nick Clegg has just won a powerful victory over the Conservatives, appointing a Bill of Rights commission which is certain to… Continue reading
34 CommentsClarke rebukes May for her comments on sex offenders’ register ruling as Tory split over human rights grows
The Conservative side of the coalition is being increasingly split by the issue of the European Convention on Human Rights. After the Supreme Court in London declared that human rights… Continue reading
28 CommentsIt’s a knock out: judicial activism versus the sovereignty of parliament
The prisoner voting debate is coming to a head, and Dave has turned once too often. The Times has received (£) what it describes as a government legal memo, urging… Continue reading
41 CommentsIt is not just the Strasbourg Court that is a problem on human rights
As we wait for the result of tonight’s ping pong between the Lords and the Commons over the forty percent threshold, there is one point worth noting about the row… Continue reading
32 CommentsObama’s Supreme Court
I have no idea whether Sonia Sotomayor is qualified to sit on the United States Supreme Court. But, unlike Harriet Miers, she’s not obviously unqualified. Having been appointed to the… Continue reading
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