Laurène Soubise
@lsoubise.bsky.social
Lecturer @lawatleeds.bsky.social, teaching criminal law, evidence, criminal justice. Interested in comparative criminal justice, prosecutors, loss of control/provocation defence, post-sentencing... She/her
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Laurène Soubise
@lsoubise.bsky.social
· Oct 3
Civilising loss of control? The role of criminal justice gatekeepers | Legal Studies | Cambridge Core
Civilising loss of control? The role of criminal justice gatekeepers
doi.org
Hurrah! Our article on loss of control is now available online: doi.org/10.1017/lst.2024.21 .
In it, we argue that judges, juries and prosecutors all appear to struggle to interpret the defence's requirements in line with the objectives of the 2009 reform.
In it, we argue that judges, juries and prosecutors all appear to struggle to interpret the defence's requirements in line with the objectives of the 2009 reform.
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
I struggle to see why turning ourselves into a society so unwelcoming that even those afraid for the lives are deterred from coming is something we would actually *want*.
November 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I struggle to see why turning ourselves into a society so unwelcoming that even those afraid for the lives are deterred from coming is something we would actually *want*.
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
To reiterate, this is about making life immeasurably more miserable and stressful for some of the most vulnerable people, in the almost certainly vain hope of winning over the votes of racists.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Asylum in UK to be made temporary under Home Secretary’s plans
Shabana Mahmood will lay out reforms modelled on the Danish system on Monday.
www.independent.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 9:14 AM
To reiterate, this is about making life immeasurably more miserable and stressful for some of the most vulnerable people, in the almost certainly vain hope of winning over the votes of racists.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Anything more shabby and shameful is difficult to envisage.
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
The normalisation, nay, emboldenment of the far right by the Labour government continues at pace
Shabana Mahmood has vowed to end Britain’s “golden ticket” for asylum seekers by forcing people arriving illegally to wait 20 years before they can apply for permanent settlement
Shabana Mahmood: ‘Illegal migration is tearing Britain apart’
The home secretary is planning to introduce a 20-year wait for permanent stay to end a ‘golden ticket’ for asylum seekers
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:29 AM
The normalisation, nay, emboldenment of the far right by the Labour government continues at pace
Re the last question: I have been wondering if this is because the police force had to instruct other (external) lawyers for the appeal who found out what happened...
I also think that this was very nearly a miscarriage of justice and in these cases it would be helpful to have a harm-prevention investigation. Why did thinks go so badly wrong before the Circuit Judge? Why was the mistake spotted so late?
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Re the last question: I have been wondering if this is because the police force had to instruct other (external) lawyers for the appeal who found out what happened...
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
This is an appalling judgment to read. Two Chief Constables found in contempt of court for misleading the court about the existence of video footage. But this was only discovered when the matter made it to the Court of Appeal. Incredible perseverance.
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
Judges set to decide fate of police chief constable guilty of contempt of court
Exclusive: Ivan Balhatchet, Northamptonshire’s chief constable, could face up to two years in jail or a fine for repeated failure to obey rulings
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This is an appalling judgment to read. Two Chief Constables found in contempt of court for misleading the court about the existence of video footage. But this was only discovered when the matter made it to the Court of Appeal. Incredible perseverance.
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
This is a tragic, beautiful piece that highlights the brutal reality of life for many repeat offenders.
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
The long read: I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This is a tragic, beautiful piece that highlights the brutal reality of life for many repeat offenders.
No loitering? In a park...
November 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
No loitering? In a park...
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
I’ve said this jokingly to colleagues but a universal research income (URI) of 10k would be a far more equitable and productive system than the current funding model
staggering to think of the time and effort put into applications that have a 1% chance of getting funded
staggering to think of the time and effort put into applications that have a 1% chance of getting funded
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I’ve said this jokingly to colleagues but a universal research income (URI) of 10k would be a far more equitable and productive system than the current funding model
staggering to think of the time and effort put into applications that have a 1% chance of getting funded
staggering to think of the time and effort put into applications that have a 1% chance of getting funded
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
Giving everyone in the relevant field an equal share of grant funding with no peer review would deliver as much as they need. A moderate amount of resources in the UK, and a high amount of resources in the US and the Netherlands. Before we consider the money and time saved in application and review.
October 23, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Giving everyone in the relevant field an equal share of grant funding with no peer review would deliver as much as they need. A moderate amount of resources in the UK, and a high amount of resources in the US and the Netherlands. Before we consider the money and time saved in application and review.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Based on the evidence we have reviewed, if Ruth's case had taken place in modern times, she would have been able to plead a defence of diminished responsibility or loss of control." This might be true for diminished responsibility but not convinced for loss of control
"Based on the evidence we have reviewed, if Ruth's case had taken place in modern times, she would have been able to plead a defence of diminished responsibility or loss of control." This might be true for diminished responsibility but not convinced for loss of control
Ruth Ellis's grandchildren seek pardon for last woman hanged
Ruth Ellis was executed in 1955 for murder but her family say she was a domestic abuse victim.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Based on the evidence we have reviewed, if Ruth's case had taken place in modern times, she would have been able to plead a defence of diminished responsibility or loss of control." This might be true for diminished responsibility but not convinced for loss of control
"Based on the evidence we have reviewed, if Ruth's case had taken place in modern times, she would have been able to plead a defence of diminished responsibility or loss of control." This might be true for diminished responsibility but not convinced for loss of control
Exact same train of thoughts from me. And also made sure British husband got French citizenship to keep all our options open.
Generally agreed, up to 2016; I take no pleasure in having been right in looking at settled status as an EU national and going "haha yeah WHILE IT LASTS" and immediately naturalising, and here we are, right?
October 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Exact same train of thoughts from me. And also made sure British husband got French citizenship to keep all our options open.
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
To be absolutely clear, it is impossible to vote for a party that cannot bring itself to unequivocally defend the rights of people living and working legally in this country. Because arbitrary removal of legal rights, or sudden varying of terms, for some is ultimately a threat to everyone.
October 21, 2025 at 10:13 AM
To be absolutely clear, it is impossible to vote for a party that cannot bring itself to unequivocally defend the rights of people living and working legally in this country. Because arbitrary removal of legal rights, or sudden varying of terms, for some is ultimately a threat to everyone.
Have these people heard of... books?
Professors *never* supply information. Students aren’t paying premium prices for ‘information’ at all. How can people who presumably have attended universities misunderstand their role so badly?
Wow. Just wow.
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
October 18, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Have these people heard of... books?
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
Professors *never* supply information. Students aren’t paying premium prices for ‘information’ at all. How can people who presumably have attended universities misunderstand their role so badly?
Wow. Just wow.
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
When Knowledge is Free, What are Professors For?
Higher Education Must Stop Competing with AI on Information and Start Teaching What Machines Can’t Do
www.forbes.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Professors *never* supply information. Students aren’t paying premium prices for ‘information’ at all. How can people who presumably have attended universities misunderstand their role so badly?
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
"The public are sick of voting for tougher sentences and getting the opposite."
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
To put it mildly, Robert Jenrick is a complete imbecile who does not know what he is talking about:
www.sentencingacademy.org.uk/wp-content/u...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
To put it mildly, Robert Jenrick is a complete imbecile who does not know what he is talking about:
www.sentencingacademy.org.uk/wp-content/u...
October 7, 2025 at 8:36 AM
"The public are sick of voting for tougher sentences and getting the opposite."
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
To put it mildly, Robert Jenrick is a complete imbecile who does not know what he is talking about:
www.sentencingacademy.org.uk/wp-content/u...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct...
To put it mildly, Robert Jenrick is a complete imbecile who does not know what he is talking about:
www.sentencingacademy.org.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
I was thinking about this recently when taking my eldest to the Oxford Open Day. She's at a northern state grammar school. She was amongst groups of kids who had been bused in by their schools, had stayed in college, where their schools had already been visited by various colleges...
Elite school students end up in better universities than expected, based on their grades blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Elite school students end up in better universities than expected, based on their grades | British Politics and Policy at LSE
Students of private and grammar schools are over-represented in elite universities, but only part of that is explained by better grades.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 3, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I was thinking about this recently when taking my eldest to the Oxford Open Day. She's at a northern state grammar school. She was amongst groups of kids who had been bused in by their schools, had stayed in college, where their schools had already been visited by various colleges...
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
You know what no one has ever done before?
Tried to 'reclaim' patriotism for the left.
Tried to 'reclaim' patriotism for the left.
September 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
You know what no one has ever done before?
Tried to 'reclaim' patriotism for the left.
Tried to 'reclaim' patriotism for the left.
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
Getting mighty tired of the meme on here of “oh, it is just so difficult for the government to set the agenda”. The government (which literally employs thousands of press officers) is setting the agenda - it’s just that it is setting it on toxic ground it can’t win.
*wanking motion*
September 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Getting mighty tired of the meme on here of “oh, it is just so difficult for the government to set the agenda”. The government (which literally employs thousands of press officers) is setting the agenda - it’s just that it is setting it on toxic ground it can’t win.
We could have a look at other European countries who have had ID cards for decades (e.g. France) and see that it doesn't make a difference to border control. There is however racial profiling during police ID check...
Even if police had such power I'm very sceptical that it would make any difference to the control of borders or illegal immigration.
September 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
We could have a look at other European countries who have had ID cards for decades (e.g. France) and see that it doesn't make a difference to border control. There is however racial profiling during police ID check...
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
This is why, despite Labour’s fumbling attempts in the last couple of days to persuade people that they can be relied upon as allies in the fight against fascism, they very obviously can’t
Keir Starmer’s spokesperson asked for the PM's response to Nigel Farage’s plan to deport hundreds of thousands of people living and working completely legally in the UK, replies that he thinks it is “unworkable” and “unfunded”.
So his objection is that they’ve got their sums wrong
So his objection is that they’ve got their sums wrong
September 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM
This is why, despite Labour’s fumbling attempts in the last couple of days to persuade people that they can be relied upon as allies in the fight against fascism, they very obviously can’t
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
Bear with me, I anticipate your disagreement. There is a clear pattern to the advice given to those who want to press back against rising racism. What it boils down to is that if you point out that racism is often being dressed up as “legitimate concerns” you will alienate people. /1
September 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Bear with me, I anticipate your disagreement. There is a clear pattern to the advice given to those who want to press back against rising racism. What it boils down to is that if you point out that racism is often being dressed up as “legitimate concerns” you will alienate people. /1
My take on the French political crisis remains the same since the last parliamentary elections: the only (orderly) way out is through a constitutional assembly. There is no way French politicians will make the necessary compromises so close to the next presidential election (2027).
September 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
My take on the French political crisis remains the same since the last parliamentary elections: the only (orderly) way out is through a constitutional assembly. There is no way French politicians will make the necessary compromises so close to the next presidential election (2027).
Really looking forward to this collaboration with the Centre for Women's Justice. Watch this space!
Dr Laurène Soubise @ccjsleeds.bsky.social and her co-investigators find that the “loss of control” defence in domestic homicide cases often continues to protect male defendants.
Their project aims to foster a national debate on reforming the "loss of control" defence.
Read more: tinyurl.com/2wmeu9nt
Their project aims to foster a national debate on reforming the "loss of control" defence.
Read more: tinyurl.com/2wmeu9nt
September 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Really looking forward to this collaboration with the Centre for Women's Justice. Watch this space!
Reposted by Laurène Soubise
📣General registration for4th joint annual conference 'A feminist Politics of Radical Hope in a Time of Oppression'
is now open.
Details: www.lexnetwork.org/radical-hope...
LEX now reviewing membership applications
Details: lexnetwork.org
@sharronfitz.bsky.social @genderandjustice.bsky.social
is now open.
Details: www.lexnetwork.org/radical-hope...
LEX now reviewing membership applications
Details: lexnetwork.org
@sharronfitz.bsky.social @genderandjustice.bsky.social
Radical-hope-conference – LEX Research Network
www.lexnetwork.org
September 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
📣General registration for4th joint annual conference 'A feminist Politics of Radical Hope in a Time of Oppression'
is now open.
Details: www.lexnetwork.org/radical-hope...
LEX now reviewing membership applications
Details: lexnetwork.org
@sharronfitz.bsky.social @genderandjustice.bsky.social
is now open.
Details: www.lexnetwork.org/radical-hope...
LEX now reviewing membership applications
Details: lexnetwork.org
@sharronfitz.bsky.social @genderandjustice.bsky.social