George Peretz KC
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georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
George Peretz KC
@georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
24K followers 2.1K following 2.9K posts
KC (E&W) BL (Irl): public/constitutional law, competition, subsidies, tax, trade. Chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers. Views mine and not those of Monckton Chambers.
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Reposted by George Peretz KC
helenebismarck.bsky.social
I just re-read this gem by Lord Hannan. It has been a few years since I looked at it.
Incredible Stuff.
The myopia is one thing.
But the way literally every global development has been misjudged.
Amazing. www.reaction.life/p/britain-lo...
What Britain looks like after Brexit
You’re reading Reaction.
www.reaction.life
November 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
danneidle.bsky.social
Our new report on Sky Bet's relocation to Malta. Full details of what we think they did, whether it was legal, and how HMRC and the Government could stop it: taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/11/18/s...
Betting on tax avoidance - is Sky Bet avoiding £55m tax per year?
ITV News has just published an investigation: gambling company Sky Bet has migrated its business to Malta to avoid around £55m of tax each year. We provided technical support for the investigation…
taxpolicy.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 5:44 PM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Touché.
nearlylegal.co.uk Nearly Legal @nearlylegal.co.uk · 10d
Ah, so 'retaking decision on basis of information not before the then minister' in advance of judicial review hearing on that decision. a) Avoids trouble at hearing on basis of not considered relevant material, and b) means they can make the same decision.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...
UK to reconsider decision to deny Waspi women pension payouts
Millions born in 1950s lost out because of government failings over changes to state retirement age, campaigners say
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:11 PM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
A question not asked by Joshua, but which seems quite important, is whether any judgment by a Florida court (assuming as Joshua does that it would assert jurisdiction) would be enforceable here. Any views?
joshuarozenberg.bsky.social Joshua Rozenberg @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social · 10d
Will President Trump sue the BBC for $1 billion? As the US president no doubt intended, it’s a figure that appears in almost every front-page newspaper headline today.

rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
Will Trump sue?
Not if the BBC makes sufficient amends this week
rozenberg.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
A bit late but a tidied up text of a short speech I gave to the @labour4europe.bsky.social rally at Labour Conference.
open.substack.com/pub/georgepe...
Labour and the ECHR
The (slightly tidied-up) text of a speech I gave to the Labour Movement for Europe rally at Labour Conference on 28 September
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
A bit late but a tidied up text of a short speech I gave to the @labour4europe.bsky.social rally at Labour Conference.
open.substack.com/pub/georgepe...
Labour and the ECHR
The (slightly tidied-up) text of a speech I gave to the Labour Movement for Europe rally at Labour Conference on 28 September
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
profmarkelliott.bsky.social
I wrote a short piece on their '50 problematic cases' (publiclawforeveryone.com/2016/05/09/a...) and also a response to John Finnis's lecture that (I think) launched the JPP (publiclawforeveryone.com/2015/11/05/j...)
Judicial Power’s 50 “problematic” cases and the limits of the judicial role
The Judicial Power Project has published a list of 50 “problematic” cases. It makes for interesting reading. The aim of the Judicial Power Project is to address the “problem” of “judicial overreach…
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:31 AM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Judgment on attempt by landlords to get a declaration that reforms to leasehold enfranchisement legislation infringe Art 1 Protocol 1 ECHR. As the judgment is long most will just want to read the official summary. www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
www.judiciary.uk
October 29, 2025 at 9:39 AM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Fans of VAT food and drink cases will enjoy this decision, where the Tax Tribunal was entertained with two days of argument on whether Ferrero Nutella chocolate biscuits (pictured) are “covered in chocolate”. caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukftt/tc/202....
40. We agree with the Appellant that the test cannot be one which is determined by whether the chocolate like substance is visible. However, having considered the detail of HMRC's case we do not interpret HMRC's case as one founded only or materially on the visibility of the Ring despite the language used in the Decisions and the review of them. 41. We have carefully considered the arguments put to us and consider that the statutory test requires us to examine the outer surface of the finished product as a whole (see in particular the approach adopted in BN Tartelettes) to determine whether chocolate or a similar substance has been laid over the surface of the finished product so as to thereby form the outer surface of that finished product. In so concluding we do not strictly impute a purpose test for the cover, rather it is a test which can be objectively discerned by the informed consumer by asking: is the chocolate like substance laid over the other elements so as to form, in whole or in part, the outer surface of that finished product viewed sensibly? Picture of the biscuits
October 28, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
philtinline.bsky.social
If I were running Labour comms I would commission an app called 'Will the Tories/Reform deport you?' then let the reactions on TikTok and Instagram do their work.
October 22, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
labour4europe.bsky.social
"The reason why the reactionary right hate the ECHR is because it gives ordinary citizens the right against the secretive and authoritarian state that they want."

–George Peretz KC, Chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers, speaking at our conference rally.

@georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
stevepeers.bsky.social
The EU Council register of documents now includes a draft UK/EU youth mobility treaty...the text is not yet public though
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
publicsectorlawyer.bsky.social
They obviously don't understand their own policy.

There's no exception in their Bill for EU nationals.

The Bill applies to ILR generally, & the exceptions are in clause 3(6), & don't include EU nationals.

bsky.app/profile/pete...
October 22, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
sundersays.bsky.social
Katie Lam has made a video - focusing on not giving new ILR grants to people who don't have it

But quietly including the Conservative proposal to be the first government since Idi Amin in 1972 to revoke the permanent leave to remain, then expel: she underplays to what extent
x.com/Katie_Lam_MP...
x.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:49 PM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Some important guidance yesterday from the Competition Appeal Tribunal for crowdfunded litigation and - many BlueSky users will want to note - for those who donate to such litigation. www.catribunal.org.uk/sites/cat/fi...
H. 52. CROWDFUNDING Mr Henry has sought to use crowdfunding in order to support the Appeal. For that purpose, Mr Henry established a crowdfunding website (the "Website") which is to be found at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-legal-fees-for-a-scottish-tv-channel#start. At the time of the hearing, some 24 donors had contributed the sum of £778 in order to help to defray Mr Henry's legal costs associated with this Appeal. As at the date of this ruling, 13 further donors have come forward, and the sum of €1,376 has been raised. 53. 54. Crowdfunding - involving the raising of finance for a specific litigation matter via an online platform - is a legitimate and potentially very useful source of funding. As a concept, crowdfunding has been recognised for several centuries indeed, Mozart crowdfunded a tour of 1783 by offering concerto manuscripts to those who agreed to finance the tour), while the crowdfunding of litigation emerged in England in the early 2000s.' In its recent report, Review of Litigation Funding, published 2 June 2025, the Civil Justice Council recognised the utility of crowdfunding, albeit that it recommended regulation of such funding, regardless of whether or not the donors had provided the funds on the basis that they would receive a financial reward if the funded litigation was successful. 1º Presently, however, crowdfunding in England remains unregulated, except for a system of voluntary self-regulation by the UK Crowdfunding Association and by judicial scrutiny and comment ex post facto. Certain aspects of Mr Henry's crowdfunding campaign on the Website were of concern to the Tribunal and merit some cautionary comment. At the time of the hearing, it was stated on the Website that, "Ofcom the UK broadcast regulator has been in breach of its statutory duties by allowing a company called That's TV to operate 20 local TV licences including 5 in Scotland that do not deliver a minimum statutory requirement of local news" (per the "Overview" tab). This statement was incorrect. Ofcom had not committed any statutory infringements in transferring the Scottish L-DTPS licences to That's TV in June 2018. This inaccuracy was pointed out to Mr Henry at the hearing, whereupon the Website was subsequently amended so as to state that, "Ofcom the UK broadcast regulator has failed to prevent a company called That's TV who operates 20+ local TV licences including 5 in Scotland that do not deliver a minimum statutory requirement of local news." Hence, the assertion of a breach of statutory duty by Ofcom was removed from the Website by Mr Henry (or at his direction) following the hearing. 55. However, there are other statements which persist on the Website and which remain of concern to the Tribunal. For example, it is stated that "Ofcom is fighting against the case even though the evidence is very clear", and that if Mr Henry is successful in this Appeal, "then That's TV will see all of their local broadcast licences end on the 25th of November this year" (per the "Updates" tab). In respect of the former statement, it is for the Tribunal, and not for the crowdfunded litigant, to consider the cogency of the evidence being adduced in support of any application which is made before it. In respect of the latter statement, there is no question of That's TV's L-DTPS licences ending on 25 November 2025, for, as set out earlier in this ruling, Ofcom has exercised its power, legitimately, to extend the period for which those L-DTPS licences continue in force by 12 months under section 19ZA(1) of the 1996 Act. The subject matter of the Appeal is not whether Ofcom had power to extend those licences (as it clearly does), but whether Ofcom should be prevented from renewing That's TV licences, pursuant to section 19ZB of the 1996 Act, from 26 November 2026 onwards. The inaccuracies referred to in the previous two paragraphs are directed toward the "pitch" of the Websi… ramifications for the proper administration of justice." While the Tribunal does not consider that the inaccuracies on the Website match the level of seriousness which has been identified by the courts in other cases, it is important to emphasise that a crowdfunding page should never be used as a "weapon" in a dispute as part of some sort of "lawfare", to adopt a phrase used by the Court of Appeal in Re A (a child) [2022] 4 WLR 25, [2021] EWCA Civ 1749, at [41]. The proprieties which the litigious process demands must be observed by both the crowdfunding host and by the litigant who is the beneficiary of the funding, in the interests of fair and proper justice. 57. 58. It is also important that donors to crowdfunding sites do not conduct themselves in any way that could be viewed as "improperly stirring up [another's] litigation", as it was described in In Re Trepca Mines Ltd (No 2) [1962] 3 All ER 351, [1963] Ch 199 (CA) at 219, for any such conduct could potentially be regarded as constituting maintenance. Although conduct amounting to maintenance or champerty has not constituted either a tort or a crime since the enactment of the Criminal Law Act 1967, sections 13(1) and 14(1), it remains the case that a funding contract which is so tainted may be "treated as contrary to public policy or otherwise illegal" (per section 14(2)). To that end, it is inadvisable for donors to publicly express views about the merits of a case on a crowdfunding website, or to make statements which could be perceived as having the aim of helping a crowdfunded litigation to secure more funding. It is plain from the Website that Mr Henry's stated purpose in bringing this application is to establish a Scottish TV channel himself. The Website states that, "[e]veryone who donates will be invited to the launch of the new Scottish TV channel that I am planning to launch using the 5 Scottish Local TV licenses. I have a detailed business plan for the TV channel and have attracted interest from po… "independent, truthful, TV service [which] is vital for Scotland's cause. I hope the tribunal decision is favourable"; further, "[let's bring these licenses into Scottish ownership and give people the service they deserve", and that "[w]e really need an independent news channel to get us over the line". While the Tribunal does not consider that these or any other of the statements made by the donors on the Website reach the level of "improperly stirring up" Mr Henry's litigation, it is nevertheless inadvisable for donors to express views on matters which go beyond the scope of the application in question which is being funded. Mr Henry's application in the instant case was for interim relief in order to prevent Ofcom from renewing any That's TV L-DTPS licences, and whatever the ultimate aims of Mr Henry's application might be, any comments from donors which go beyond the application in question must be cautioned against.
October 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
crisveijk.bsky.social
Among other things, Katie Lam is proposing racist voter suppression. As @georgeperetzkc.bsky.social has noted, Commonwealth citizens w/ LtR can vote in UK elections - but ending ILR would reframe that right to vote to a 5yr rolling basis, ~1x per Parliamentary term.

It's UK Black History Month...
crisveijk.bsky.social Cris van Eijk @crisveijk.bsky.social · Oct 21
Is there *anything* she won't say?

Sure - since becoming an MP in July 2024, Katie Lam hasn't said the word 'Windrush' once, even on Windrush Day.

Which is strange, because in May 2023, Katie Lam was briefed enough to attend meetings of the Windrush Cross-Govt WG as Braverman's Special Adviser.
sundersays.bsky.social Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · Oct 18
Sunday Times interview Tory "rising star" Katie Lam

She is clear she wants lots of legal migrants to be told to "go home" so as "to leave a mostly but not entirely culturally coherent group of people"

(The interviewer suggests she is scrapping ILR or stripping people of it)
October 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
labour4europe.bsky.social
"The real danger to border control and public security here, is leaving the ECHR."

–George Peretz KC, Chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers, speaking at our conference rally.

@georgeperetzkc.bsky.social @soclablaw.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
robfordmancs.bsky.social
This, this, this. If journalists don’t scrutinize this and explain it properly now then they have failed on their duty and will bear a share of the blame if such policies are enacted (most of the public oppose them and don’t I think realise what is being proposed yet).
benansell.bsky.social Ben Ansell @benansell.bsky.social · Oct 19
Apropos of nothing, I really do think UK journalists and politicians need some reminding that mass deportation of LEGAL immigrants, particularly those with permanent status, is far more extreme than even Trump's America and would basically place Britain completely on its own among democracies.
October 19, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
anuragdeb.bsky.social
So the arc of shame appears to have completely reversed on X.
jameschalmers.bsky.social James Chalmers @jameschalmers.bsky.social · Oct 18
A lot that could be said about this but if you look on Twitter it’s noticeable that the replies and quote tweets are *overwhelmingly* telling him he shouldn’t have apologised and even attacking him for doing so. That’s the feedback loop certain users are plugged into now, and it has consequences.
Calgie @christiancalgie · 30m I wish to apologise to Zarah Sultana MP for my inappropriate response to a message on X. It was wrong of me to do so and I am sorry. Taking a break from X to prioritise my mental health.
October 18, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
benansell.bsky.social
Good on these two. That’s how you keep norms alive
sundersays.bsky.social Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · Oct 18
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (745pm 17/10) and Josh Fenton-Glynn MP(Labour, Calder Valley), a bit later on 17/10, are the two MPs outside Sultana's party to notice and challenge this
October 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by George Peretz KC
sundersays.bsky.social
The PM and leader of the Opposition have criticised the decision to ban away fans from the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv football match in Birmingham. The police decision follows violence and rioting in Amsterdam in November at the Ajax v Maccabi game

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Wrong to stop Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending Aston Villa match, says PM
Followers of the Israeli club will not be allowed to attend the Europa League game over safety concerns.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Very good diagnosis of the ECHR debate here: and a key question as to how effectively to oppose the essentially vibes-based case against it (albeit with a veil of legitimacy from flimsy and bad faith, but apparently scholarly, publications by right wing think tanks with good media links).
October 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Calling law students interested in public law: the ALBA mooting competition is now under way. Details here. Academics/practitioners - please pass on. adminlaw.org.uk/event/the-ca...
The Catherine Callaghan Moot 2025 - ALBA
adminlaw.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Great piece by @paulnowaktuc.bsky.social in support of the ECHR: exactly the points I and others in @soclablaw.bsky.social have been making. labourlist.org/2025/10/paul...
Paul Nowak Column: 'The Left has a political and moral duty to defend the ECHR' - LabourList
In his barnstorming regular column TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak says all MPs have a moral and political duty o defend the ECHR.
labourlist.org
October 9, 2025 at 9:08 AM
georgeperetzkc.bsky.social
Theologians: discuss.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Oct 6
Trump: "I want to be good because you want to prove to God so you go to that next step, right? So that's very important to me."
October 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM