header-logo header-logo

31 January 2025 / Dr Victoria McCloud
Issue: 8102 / Categories: Opinion , Profession , Media , Human rights
printer mail-detail

Hear evil, see evil, keep schtum?

206031
Retired judge Victoria McCloud gives a personal analysis of the implications of new restrictions on judges’ freedom of speech in England & Wales

‘The universally recognised Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct identify six core values that should guide each judge’s work and Retired judge Victoria McCloud gives a personal analysis of the implications of new restrictions on judges’ freedom of speech in England & Wales, namely independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, and competence and diligence. When using social media, judges should always be guided by the Bangalore Principles …’ (UNODC Guidance, Global Judicial Integrity Network, UN Doha Declaration).

Judges have the usual rights to freedom of expression, including under Art 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), now buttressed by the Nauru Declaration 2024 on Judicial Wellbeing, emphasising the human rights of judges and signed by representatives of UK judges’ groups and representatives from many other nations. The nature of the role imposes responsibilities usefully encapsulated in the core principles above. Art 10 allows laws

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

back-to-top-scroll