Papal Bull latest….

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Rant du Jour: Luvvies and politics

Beam the bugger up, I was going to write on twitter…. why celebrities, with no greater insight into politics (many of them, I suspect) should feel the need to *pronounce* on matters politic, vainglorious in the belief that we actually care what they they think, is quite beyond me.  They are, of course, entitled to [...]

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Law Review: Metgate grinds on….

I was hesitant in commenting on the Metgate saga (as I have stated several times in blog posts) partly because other bloggers are doing so and partly because of that old hoary chestnut of evidence. We are all reliant on detail provided from the media and this latest article from Donald Trelford in The Independent [...]

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Postcard From The Staterooms 12 September 2010

This week, after thinking it might be a good idea to drink some cider for a change (it wasn’t), my postcard may well ramble more than usual….. It has been quite a week. An ignorant bigoted self styled pastor managed to attract world wide interest and the attention of the President of The United States [...]

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Lord Bingham of Cornhill obituary

Lord Bingham of Cornhill obituary The Guardian: The greatest English judge of the modern era, he saw judicial independence as essential to the protection of human rights It seems fitting (to me) to mark Lord Bingham’s death with three quotations  – of many -  from his writings and judgments: If I am right that the [...]

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The Falling Man and an ignorant bigoted pastor(d)

Today is the 9th anniversary of 9/11.  I watched a bit of The Falling Man – a powerful film which brought back the horror of the experience of those who died, their loved ones and for those who were there. My wishes go to them. But then we went to war – en route to [...]

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Law Review: The “Phantom Lawyer of The Opera” kicks own goal?

I enjoy opera.  I am not a ‘buff’ – although I used to be ‘buff’  (a blogger can dream?) – and I have been to The Royal Opera House (ROH) many times; paying quite fantastic sums of money for the privilege. I particularly like Tosca – where the chance of the fat lady bouncing back [...]

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Law Review: Fear and loathing in Las Parliament

I’ve held back from commenting on Metgate in any detail – partly because other bloggers, notably Jack of Kent, are doing it well and in measured detail, and partly because I want to see if this campaign actually goes anywhere and new evidence comes forward. We are beginning to get a degree of clarity on [...]

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Rive Gauche: Drumming gorilla outed – female orgasm would kill a man – Mr Credulous…and a few other matters.

Been a few weeks since I did my weekly Rive Gauche post…. so what better way to return than  by announcing that Ed Balls MP was the guy in the gorilla suit….. this YouTube video provides so much EVIDENCE that skeptics  are having orgasms which could put their lives in danger…. and talking of which….. [...]

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Law Review: Guardian Law – Red top assassins – Blair and freedom of speech

Breaking news for lawyers – the internet has arrived! Guardian: The Attorney General had a surprise at the official launch of Guardian Law The decision by The Times to drop off the face of the legal net (Yes, I am sure a few are paying to read it online) by disappearing behind a paywall  must [...]

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Charon in TOP 2 of TOTALLY PISSED Blog Awards 2010 – Astonishing

I am very pleased to announce that I have awarded myself an award (another one). Modesty forbids me from saying that I won – hence…TOP 2 With all these total politics blog awards being handed out to polbloggers… although I understand they do have a voting system – I can hold my head up high… [...]

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Why do Polbloggers and others need badges and puffery? – Just askin…..blah blah

2 Corinthians 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. *** And on a positive note… I am more than happy to see Barristers abseiling… and doing good… these are from Exchange Chambers! Would you like to donate to this or publicise it? Mandy Yip, Rob Dudley and [...]

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Law Review: Church law allows priests to abuse children and why News Corp may be ‘freaking out’

A couple of law stories – with no comment – simply because I have just read them and found them interesting. Canon law has allowed abuse priests to escape punishment, says lawyer The Guardian: Geoffrey Robertson QC calls for end of church law and chides UK government for recognising Vatican’s sovereignty The system of law [...]

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Scottish Guest Law Review: A Matter of Independence

I am delighted to host two very thoughtful blog posts from Scots lawyers on the issue of Independence for Scotland. I have, with their permission, taken their published posts from their blogs and hosted them here.  Given the fact that we are, for the present, a United Kingdom, I thought these would be thought provoking.  [...]

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Law Review: Scrambled Clegg for breakfast?

Fixed-term parliaments open to legal challenge, clerk of Commons warns Guardian: Malcolm Jack says legislation could mean courts would ‘be drawn into matters of acute political controversy such as whether an election should be held’ This could be a bit of a problem? I do like twitter – this from a friend…. Funnily enough.. the [...]

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Fake barrister flees court after judge’s questioning

BBC Reports: A man posing as a barrister fled a court in Devon when a senior judge became suspicious of him. What a great story.

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Muttley Dastardly LLP Episode 2: Procureco Wars

PODCAST EPISODE 2: MUTTLEY DASTARDLY LLP – PROCURECO WARS MEMORANDUM To: The Partners From: Matt Muttley, Managing Partner RE: PROCURECO WARS Gentlemen, I write from our Caribbean island with news of an opportunity which I think we should give some attention to.  As you know, it is 24/7/365 at M&D LLP.  I have a lunch [...]

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This… I did like!

I do seem to have unusual hours – getting up at 3.45 am  to ensure that The Grim Reaper does not get me  – A lot of people die at 4.00 am according to statistics from HM Treasury and NHSDirect ( – but probably not enough to help the Coalition government and Chris Grayling et [...]

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Law Review: Met Gate / Hackgate – whatever you call it – The Coulson story isn’t going to go away…..

I’ve been following what is called #Metgate and #Hackgate on Twitter and in The Guardian / The Observer. I’ve kept out of the analysis – partly because of The Guardian and  David Allen Green’s (Formerly Jack of Kent) sharply observed writing on the matter – and partly because I don’t know enough about it yet  [...]

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Silly Season over – Summer over (official) – Welcome back

Not everyone reads The Independent – so I hope The Indie and Dave Brown do not mind me posting this excellent cartoon! Here is the original source from  The Independent Hat Tip Beau Bo D’or – who knows a thing or two about satirical cartoons / artwork  – well worth visiting and bookmarking.

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