header-logo header-logo

Hear evil, see evil, keep schtum?

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

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The dangers of uncritical artificial intelligence (AI) use in legal practice are no longer hypothetical. In this week's NLJ, Dr Charanjit Singh of Holborn Chambers examines cases where lawyers relied on ‘hallucinated’ citations — entirely fictitious authorities generated by AI tools
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
back-to-top-scroll