A shocking new investigation by Index reveals that Emily (not her real name), a school librarian in Greater Manchester, faced disciplinary action after stocking the book Men Who Hate Women.

Nearly 200 books were targeted. 1/4
By @katiedd.bsky.social

Rwanda arbitration case set to have long term influence on UK asylum policy A dispute between the UK and Rwanda over a cancelled bilateral asylum deal is due to be heard at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in March. Commentators say it’s a case that could have long-term imp...

A dispute between the UK and Rwanda over a cancelled bilateral asylum deal is due to be heard at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in March. Commentators say it’s a case that could have long-term implications for UK asylum policy and influence future bilateral deals in this area.
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: EU’s €90bn deal signals growing strength of ‘coalition of the willing’ Following weeks of tense negotiations, at the eleventh hour on 19 December, EU leaders finally reached agreement on a €90bn loan to support Ukraine.

Following weeks of tense negotiations, at the eleventh hour on 19 December, EU leaders finally reached agreement on a €90bn loan to support Ukraine.
www.ibanet.org/EUs-90bn-dea...

In my latest for @indexoncensorship.org I speak to @zeldaperkins.bsky.social about the devastating impact of NDAs and why a clause banning NDAs in the workplace in the Employment Rights Act means even more as UK businesses grapple with the fallout from the US administration's diversity rollback

Enjoyed discussing the ethics of AI-generated content, the social harms posed by AI chatbots and what it all means for free speech with @tanyagoodin.bsky.social Henry Shevlin Jonathan Hall KC, @sahartahvili.bsky.social @jordicalbad.bsky.social and Susie Alegre. Free to read for a limited time only!

Why supermarket prices really became sky high in the UK Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why

I couldn’t believe my eyes at the price when I tried to buy a carton of orange juice last week! This is a good explainer on why orange juice prices are so high at the moment www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Putin must be convinced cost to control Ukraine “too high” – former NATO secretary general We spoke to former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the developments.

Putin must be convinced cost to control Ukraine “too high” – former NATO secretary general

www.channel4.com/news/putin-m...

NATO moves to counter hybrid threats after airspace violations Recent incursions into European airspace have led to concerns about escalating Russian aggression on the EU’s borders, as Western fears grow that the Kremlin is testing NATO’s red lines.

I wrote this recently for @ibanews.bsky.social on how NATO is responding to escalating Russian aggression on the EU's borders with some brilliant insight from military law experts @alexgilder.bsky.social and Kirsty Sutherland www.ibanet.org/NATO-moves-t...

Russia steps up crackdown on digital freedoms A new Russian law – which came into effect in September – punishes online searches for what the government labels ‘extremist content’. But while the Kremlin has published a list of more than 5,000 ban...

I spoke to Galina Arapova and Mark Stephens for @ibanews.bsky.social on Russia's continued crackdown on digital freedoms through new censorship laws, internet shutdowns and restricting access to foreign apps and websites. Read more here: www.ibanet.org/Russia-steps...

Afghanistan's female lawyers are the latest target for the Taliban Pursuing a legal career has become impossible for women in the country. Some of those women told Index their stories

It’s four years since the Taliban toppled Kabul and Afghans’ basic rights were eroded. Here’s my article for @indexoncensorship.org last year where I spoke to some very brave Afghan women about what it’s like to live under Taliban rule www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/01/afgh...

This articles marks my tenth piece of coverage for
@ibanews.bsky.social specifically on NDAs since I first met Zelda in 2018. It's an area I feel I sadly know pretty well now and yet is still very misunderstood - thanks to
Mark Stephens, Luz Nagle, Ed Mills and others for their legal insights

Rule of law: UK to ban NDAs in cases of harassment and discrimination The UK government has said it will legislate to stop employers from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to cover up harassment and discrimination in what campaigners hope will lead to a sea change ...

"It is truly a workers’ rights win," said @zeldaperkins.bsky.social when asked her thoughts on the UK's decision to ban NDAs in cases of harassment & discrimination. I wrote this for @ibanews.bsky.social on why it matters & why it won't make settlements more difficult www.ibanet.org/Rule-of-law-...

Land of the Free?: Trump's war on speech at home and abroad - Index on Censorship The Summer 2025 issue of Index on Censorship Looks at how the second Trump administration is eroding free speech at home and overseas

In a week when Mzia Amaglobeli was sentenced to 2 years in prison on politically motivated charges, it seems apt that @indexoncensorship.org publishes my profile of Professor Donald Rayfield on why he’s speaking out against Georgia’s authoritarian regime www.indexoncensorship.org/2025/07/land...

An imperfect system: Part two - Right to Equality

An imperfect system (Part 2) The parents say the system has failed them, but with conflicting evidence, far-fetched explanations and high-risk concerns, the court is faced with an impossible question: how do you balance empathy with safeguarding?⁠ righttoequality.org/an-imperfect...

An imperfect system: Part one - Right to Equality

My latest blogs for @right2equality.bsky.social on one family’s fight to stay together in the family courts.⁠ An imperfect system (Part 1) righttoequality.org/an-imperfect...

Such an interesting article by @martinbright.bsky.social on the culture of secrecy hanging over maternity services and women's healthcare in England. A must read.

Delighted to be published in the latest edition of @indexoncensorship.org and have insight from @annagvarish.bsky.social Tamar Oniani from the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Institution and academic Sophie Shamanidi into how Georgia’s ruling party is stifling free speech and dismantling independent media

Yesterday, I joined the journalists’ solidarity march in Tbilisi, holding my sign: ‘media freedom is the right of the people.’ As GD tightens its grip with laws to silence us, it’s not just journalists who suffer—it’s society, robbed of truth. #GeorgiaProtests

📸 Tbel Abuseridze

US Presidency: retreat from world stage boosts Russia and China Donald Trump’s second presidential term, with its dizzying array of executive orders, policy revocations, funding cuts, tariff threats and withdrawals from international bodies, has sent both the coun...

As the US retreats from the world stage, who's winning? Russia certainly, but also China. I spoke to Angela Stent @brookings.edu @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social @warstudieskcl.bsky.social & legal experts to find out what this means for Ukraine and the rule of law worldwide www.ibanet.org/US-Presidenc...

Rule of law: UK government acts to curb use and abuse of NDAs Following repeated scandals revealing the widespread use and abuse of non-disclosure agreements, the UK government has given the green light to ban their use in England’s higher education sector

www.ibanet.org//Rule-of-law...

Really helpful analysis on what Trump's latest tariff increases mean for global trade and why they may not bring the economic benefits that he's hoping for

Quote from Christopher Sabatini: Ecuador’s election is the first in Latin America in the Trump 2.0 era it’s going to be a bellwether

@ruthsgreen.bsky.social Global Insight feature explores the upcoming Latin American elections.
www.ibanet.org//Latin-Ameri...

Delighted to receive a copy of 'Anywhere But Here' - a deep dive into the UK's broken asylum system by @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social I've looked at some of the legal obstacles facing asylum seekers in my reporting, but looking forward to understanding more about why the system is failing so many

Georgian protests surpass 100-day milestone Rustaveli Avenue, known as the ‘political heart’ of Tbilisi, has witnessed its fair share of anti-government protests over the years. But for the past six months, the Georgian capital has been the sit...

On 7th March Georgia’s civilian protests reached 100 days. Read more about why they’re protesting and the response by the authorities in my first piece for @newint.bsky.social new-internationalist.ghost.io/georgian-pro...

Amidst calls for a public inquiry into the phone-hacking scandal, here's my piece on Prince Harry's settlement and what could happen next, with great insight from Dr Evan Harris, consultant to Harry's legal team, and media law experts Gerald Shamash and Mark Stephens

They cast doubt on Zelensky's suitability to "do business" with them, highlighting that the US helping Ukraine is purely a transactional move with a vested interest. Zelensky stays remarkably calm. He knows better what is at stake and what the Kremlin is doing (2/2)

I'm just catching up on the Zelensky-Trump nightmarish talks. The brash, domineering arrogance and rudeness of Trump and Vance is so embarrassing to watch. Their infantile demands for more overt gratitude from Zelensky. So disgusting (1/2)

Important blog here on the importance of accurate reporting. If we want the judiciary to embrace greater transparency, then the press must ensure what they report is accurate and, when necessary, issue corrections. The consequences of misinformation are serious and real for judges and their families

Ten years ago today the Russian opposition politician & fierce Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov was shot dead on a bridge opposite Red Square.

The Great Repression As President Vladimir Putin is re-elected for a fifth term, Global Insight examines what’s kept him in power and what the vote means for the rule of law, and for Ukraine.

For those who need reminding, Ukraine is under martial law so elections can't happen. I wrote about this last year. Scroll down to "Ukraine’s democratic dilemma". Unfortunately upholding democracy isn't foremost in the US president's mind at home or abroad www.ibanet.org/the-great-re...