The Secret Barrister
@barristersecret.bsky.social
Wears a black cape and fights crime. Not Batman.
Sunday Times No.1 Bestselling author•The Secret Barrister•#FakeLaw•Nothing But The Truth•
Also writes thrillers as S.J. Fleet. The Cut Throat Trial out now at all good bookshops.
Sunday Times No.1 Bestselling author•The Secret Barrister•#FakeLaw•Nothing But The Truth•
Also writes thrillers as S.J. Fleet. The Cut Throat Trial out now at all good bookshops.
Pinned
🎉IT’S PUBLICATION DAY!🎉
My first legal thriller, #TheCutThroatTrial!
The mutilated body of an old man is found in the street. Three teenagers nearby, caked in his blood.
Each points the finger at the others.
Each has his own story.
Available NOW in the links below 👇
My first legal thriller, #TheCutThroatTrial!
The mutilated body of an old man is found in the street. Three teenagers nearby, caked in his blood.
Each points the finger at the others.
Each has his own story.
Available NOW in the links below 👇
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
It’s nearly Christmas! Do you have a person in your life who has, at one time or another, expressed a passing interest in authentic, gritty legal thrillers by bestselling anonymous rabbits?
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
December 3, 2025 at 7:52 AM
It’s nearly Christmas! Do you have a person in your life who has, at one time or another, expressed a passing interest in authentic, gritty legal thrillers by bestselling anonymous rabbits?
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
Today, the government has confirmed that it intends to remove the right to trial by jury in the vast majority of cases in the Crown Courts. Serious criminal allegations, carrying up to three years …
thesecretbarrister.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
Legal commentator and author, @barristersecret.bsky.social told Byline Times that David Lammy's plans were “badly thought through, expensive and likely to backfire.”
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/03/d...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/03/d...
David Lammy's Plans to Scrap Automatic Right to Appeal Risk 'Increasing Miscarriages of Justice'
Lawyers and legal campaigners say the changes risk removing "vital safeguards" and shutting out vulnerable defendants from justice
bylinetimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Legal commentator and author, @barristersecret.bsky.social told Byline Times that David Lammy's plans were “badly thought through, expensive and likely to backfire.”
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/03/d...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/03/d...
It’s nearly Christmas! Do you have a person in your life who has, at one time or another, expressed a passing interest in authentic, gritty legal thrillers by bestselling anonymous rabbits?
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
December 3, 2025 at 7:52 AM
It’s nearly Christmas! Do you have a person in your life who has, at one time or another, expressed a passing interest in authentic, gritty legal thrillers by bestselling anonymous rabbits?
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
If so, fill their stockings and underwear with this bad boy.
Available in links below👇
#TheCutThroatTrial
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
Today, the government has confirmed that it intends to remove the right to trial by jury in the vast majority of cases in the Crown Courts. Serious criminal allegations, carrying up to three years …
thesecretbarrister.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
NEW BLOGPOST
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
Abolishing trial by jury: why is the government overlooking the obvious?
thesecretbarrister.com/2025/12/02/a...
As set out in this thread, the causes of the court backlog are chronic lack of funding and absurd inefficiency.
The government has made no proposals to address either. Their answer is to remove juries.
Rather than fix the leaking roof, their solution is to burn the house down.
The government has made no proposals to address either. Their answer is to remove juries.
Rather than fix the leaking roof, their solution is to burn the house down.
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
December 2, 2025 at 9:03 AM
As set out in this thread, the causes of the court backlog are chronic lack of funding and absurd inefficiency.
The government has made no proposals to address either. Their answer is to remove juries.
Rather than fix the leaking roof, their solution is to burn the house down.
The government has made no proposals to address either. Their answer is to remove juries.
Rather than fix the leaking roof, their solution is to burn the house down.
Listening to David Lammy on @BBCr4today attempting to justify abolishing trial by jury, it is increasingly and terrifyingly clear that he simply does not understand the issues.
December 2, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Listening to David Lammy on @BBCr4today attempting to justify abolishing trial by jury, it is increasingly and terrifyingly clear that he simply does not understand the issues.
Saving juries by abolishing juries.
The absolute state of this.
The absolute state of this.
David Lammy, the justice secretary, is expected to announce that he is scrapping jury trials for ‘either way’ cases, including those for assault and burglary ⬇️
David Lammy: ‘I don’t want to scrap juries. This is about saving them’
David Lammy, the justice secretary, is expected to announce that he is scrapping jury trials for ‘either way’ cases, including those for assault and burglary
www.thetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Saving juries by abolishing juries.
The absolute state of this.
The absolute state of this.
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
A Christmassy KC - Day One
Four years ago, the good (yes) people of Twitter (yes) responded phenomenally to a request to make my profile photo more Christmassy. To show the low bar for new (non-AI!) entries, we'll start with this *cough* 'naive' art from @sigourneybeaver.bsky.social
Four years ago, the good (yes) people of Twitter (yes) responded phenomenally to a request to make my profile photo more Christmassy. To show the low bar for new (non-AI!) entries, we'll start with this *cough* 'naive' art from @sigourneybeaver.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A Christmassy KC - Day One
Four years ago, the good (yes) people of Twitter (yes) responded phenomenally to a request to make my profile photo more Christmassy. To show the low bar for new (non-AI!) entries, we'll start with this *cough* 'naive' art from @sigourneybeaver.bsky.social
Four years ago, the good (yes) people of Twitter (yes) responded phenomenally to a request to make my profile photo more Christmassy. To show the low bar for new (non-AI!) entries, we'll start with this *cough* 'naive' art from @sigourneybeaver.bsky.social
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
This book is brilliant. I predict it’s going to be an Oscar winning movie someday. Gritty. Hard hitting. Twisty and turny. Absolutely superb! Get it for the crime novel loving person in your life today!! @barristersecret.bsky.social bravo 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
November 28, 2025 at 7:44 PM
This book is brilliant. I predict it’s going to be an Oscar winning movie someday. Gritty. Hard hitting. Twisty and turny. Absolutely superb! Get it for the crime novel loving person in your life today!! @barristersecret.bsky.social bravo 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
perfect column on Nigel Farage's racist, schoolboy past, by @hugorifkind.bsky.social. "The boy haunts the man." www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Was Nigel Farage a bit of a Nazi? Only he knows
The Reform leader was a teenager when he made crass remarks but we’re entitled to ask a would-be prime minister what lay behind them
www.thetimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
perfect column on Nigel Farage's racist, schoolboy past, by @hugorifkind.bsky.social. "The boy haunts the man." www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
movementforgood.com
Please support FRU by nominating us for a £1000 award from the Movement For Good draw which starts on Monday.
Our charity registration number is 1183592 and our category is 'Poverty'.
It only takes 30 seconds and could make a real difference to our service.
#WeDoProBono
Please support FRU by nominating us for a £1000 award from the Movement For Good draw which starts on Monday.
Our charity registration number is 1183592 and our category is 'Poverty'.
It only takes 30 seconds and could make a real difference to our service.
#WeDoProBono
Nominate a charity - Movement for Good
Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.
movementforgood.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:27 PM
movementforgood.com
Please support FRU by nominating us for a £1000 award from the Movement For Good draw which starts on Monday.
Our charity registration number is 1183592 and our category is 'Poverty'.
It only takes 30 seconds and could make a real difference to our service.
#WeDoProBono
Please support FRU by nominating us for a £1000 award from the Movement For Good draw which starts on Monday.
Our charity registration number is 1183592 and our category is 'Poverty'.
It only takes 30 seconds and could make a real difference to our service.
#WeDoProBono
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
I’m on the lookout for barristers that could give up 40 minutes 1310-1350 on one day over next 2 weeks to train a pair of students in public speaking online for Kalisher. No prep required. If you could help please DM me asap.
November 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I’m on the lookout for barristers that could give up 40 minutes 1310-1350 on one day over next 2 weeks to train a pair of students in public speaking online for Kalisher. No prep required. If you could help please DM me asap.
Just the good, friendly, morale-boosting kind of racism.
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Just the good, friendly, morale-boosting kind of racism.
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
The government intends to reduce the right to jury trial. I think this is a bad thing. But what do the judges think? open.substack.com/pub/counselo...
Stop the Revolution
Juries in jeopardy - what do judges think?
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The government intends to reduce the right to jury trial. I think this is a bad thing. But what do the judges think? open.substack.com/pub/counselo...
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
This government has not taken a single meaningful step to tackle the causes of the horrendous inefficiencies in the criminal justice system, instead rushing to dismantle trial by jury.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
Exclusive: Courts minister says change needed to stop criminals opting for juries to delay cases, sometimes by years, and clear huge backlog
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Criminals will be stopped from “gaming the system” by choosing trial by jury in order to increase the chances of proceedings collapsing, the courts minister has said, promising to enact radical changes to limit jury trials by the next election.
Drug dealers and career criminals were “laughing in the dock” knowing cases can take years to come to trial, Sarah Sackman told the Guardian, saying inaction would be a road to “chaos and ruin”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
This government has not taken a single meaningful step to tackle the causes of the horrendous inefficiencies in the criminal justice system, instead rushing to dismantle trial by jury.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
It's been so long since I've read a crime thriller that my investigative skills were getting rusty. This absolute gem—and The Secret Barrister's first novel, no less—is the perfect way to get my heart racing again... without, you know, being the one on trial.
@barristersecret.bsky.social
@barristersecret.bsky.social
November 16, 2025 at 8:32 AM
It's been so long since I've read a crime thriller that my investigative skills were getting rusty. This absolute gem—and The Secret Barrister's first novel, no less—is the perfect way to get my heart racing again... without, you know, being the one on trial.
@barristersecret.bsky.social
@barristersecret.bsky.social
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
Reposted by The Secret Barrister
NEW
A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC
The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak
By me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-close-lo... (Substack)
(Non-Substack link to follow.)
A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC
The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak
By me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-close-lo... (Substack)
(Non-Substack link to follow.)
A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC
The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak
emptycity.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
NEW
A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC
The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak
By me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-close-lo... (Substack)
(Non-Substack link to follow.)
A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC
The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak
By me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/a-close-lo... (Substack)
(Non-Substack link to follow.)