In January 2019, we launched our new legal blog with student authors. Our student authors work together on current affairs topics of their choice, drawing out and articulating associated legal issues.
Has the Time Come to End Anonymity on Social Media?
9 August 2021
In response to recent discussions about social media and racism, the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre and legal firm Mishcon de Reya have published a joint editorial piece tackling the issue of anonymity online.
The problem of Human Trafficking
20 July 2021
Human trafficking is a despicable crime. Is our system fit for combatting it?
Does surveillance law provide security or threaten privacy?
20 May 2021
The current surveillance legislation allows public authorities to legally intercept communications on devices upon approval of a warrant. Is this power harmful to our rights?
Social Media Privacy: Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp
14 May 2021
Recently, online social networking platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp have expanded exponentially. The massive influx of personal information that has become available online and stored has put user privacy at the forefront of discussion.
The Post-Brexit legal and financial situation
14 May 2021
Now that the UK has officially withdrawn from the European Union, what will our legal and financial relationship be?
Porn, Politics and the Public - The legality of Deep-fake technology
30 April 2021
Deep-fakes remain proof of innovation in technology; however, its dangers are beginning to outweigh its benefits. This begs the question - how is the law dealing with it?
Regulating Work from Home: Promises and Challenges
29 April 2021
The Covid-19 Pandemic was a mandatory Work from Home (WFH) trial. Large shared offices, company socials and hours of commute have been replaced with isolated Zoom calls on the kitchen table at least for now (and for some organisations even permanently). This has urged governments to try some untested waters in employment law.
Protecting your personal information online
29 April 2021
Is your cat’s name protected by the GDPR? How is your personal information protected right now? Does Brexit have any effect on it? Who do you turn to if your rights under the GDPR have been violated?
Hong Kong: The Security Law, British Influence, and Judicial Independence
6 April 2021
As protests against China’s laws continue, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers resign after new disqualification legislation. The security law’s compatibility with the rule of law will determine whether UKSC Judges will keep serving in Hong Kong.
Legal tech: myths and the truth
24 February 2021
Taking on Misinformation: Facebook’s Ban on Anti-Vaccine Ads
12 January 2021
On 13 October 2020, Facebook announced that it would ban advertisements discouraging vaccines or suggesting their inefficacy. The step comes amid the Covid-19 pandemic, during which misinformation on social media surrounding the virus has prospered.
It’s an Abuser’s World: Why Countries Need to Criminalise Domestic Violence—And Still Haven’t
8 December 2020
Despite the efforts of multiple women’s rights movements, the fact still stands: in 2020, there are dozens of countries that have no laws on domestic abuse. This leaves thousands of victims in those countries completely hopeless.
Flightless Birds
11 November 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on the airline industry
What I learnt from my time as a Student Adviser at the LAC
16 September 2020
I sought some practical legal experience that could complement my studies. Of course, the typical approach would be to intern with a law firm but for obvious reasons, that is not viable during term-time. I found the solution to that in the award-winning Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre (LAC).
Football Banning Orders: the unknown dangers
13 July 2020
A lot is known of the ‘football hooligan’ - a person intent on causing disorder at football matches; but little is perhaps known of Football Banning Orders (FBOs) which were introduced to tackle the problem of violence at football matches
Football supporters recognising the dangers of facial recognition
2 June 2020
Facial recognition technology has been rolled out twice this season by South Wales Police for fixtures between Cardiff and Swansea, leading to anger and protest from supporters and civil liberty groups.
Post-Brexit Concerns on the Other Side of the Channel
19 March 2020
Will the European Union cope with the recent tensions it is facing?
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The Weinstein Trial: Success or Hinderance for UK Victims?
10 March 2020
As the Harvey Weinstein trial came to a close, mixed views exist on how its outcome might affect UK victims bringing similar charges against their perpetrators
Coronavirus and the Legality of Quarantine
18 February 2020
The UK is strengthening its quarantine protocols as spreading coronavirus becomes an increasing public health concern
The people vs Juul: Are harsher regulations the remedy for the vaping epidemic?
7 February 2020
Whether you are a smoker or non-smoker, whether you are a teenager or adult, you will most definitely have heard about Juul and juuling. Juuling seems to be everywhere. On the streets, on the news, and on social media. But how did Juul become so popular only four years after launching?
Huge Negligence Fees Cause Gaping Wound in NHS’s Money Bag
3 February 2020
A Freedom of Information request has unveiled the enormous fees facing the NHS as a result of medical negligence claims, prompting the government to explore potential solutions
A Potentially Huge Payout for Tesco staff
30 January 2020
Tesco Action Group, a group which consist of more than 80,000 current and former Tesco employees, are bringing an equal pay claim against the UK’s largest retailer and supermarket Tesco. The claim relies on the pay differences of £3 per hour between in-store workers, who are mostly women; and warehouse workers, the majority of whom are men.
Alone in her cell: Pregnant inside the UK’s prison system
16 December 2019
Following 27 September 2019, several investigations have been launched into the death of a newborn child after its mother gave birth entirely alone inside her cell at HMP Bronzefield, Britain’s largest women’s prison.
Thomas Cook, another one bites the dust
9 December 2019
The bankruptcy of travel-colossus Thomas Cook earlier this year left behind ruins, perils, and questions. With 9,000 UK jobs thrown out of the window and 150,000 British citizens abroad, we consider the profound legal implications of this headline news.
Copy and paste: Ariana Grande sues Forever 21 for $10m in copyright storm
9 December 2019
Earlier this year, Ariana Grande’s legal entourage filed an action against Forever 21 after the clothing giant failed to secure her consent to use her image. Forever 21 have been seen to disregard copy right laws completely and as a result, are now likely to end up footing a bill worth £ 8.2 million.
S.60 in action at Notting Hill
29 November 2019
On 26 August 2019, we attended Notting Hill Carnival for the first time. Having existed since 1966, Notting Hill Carnival remains a spectacular celebration of Caribbean culture and is among the UK's most significant public events. Notting Hill Carnival is a cultural event unlike any other in the UK. The streets teem with over 1-million people, decorated with amazing outfits, food, music, parades, and (usually) sun. In some ways, Notting Hill Carnival is akin to Glastonbury Festival - great food, music, outfits, and (usually) sun.
‘Dehumanising language and calls for violence': Right-wing activist kicked off social media
24 May 2019
Far-right agitator Tommy Robinson has a talent for making headlines—and probably nothing else. Whether he is harassing journalists, disclosing sensitive court materials, advising the leader of UKIP, or running for election as an MEP, it is hard to avoid his presence in news media.
Collapse of Britain’s biggest payday lender!
12 March 2019
The payday lender giant is on the verge of shutdown. It has stopped accepting new loan applications, and is fighting off a swamping amount of compensation claims from its customers.
How Do We Address Our Knife Crime Crisis?
3 March 2019
Recent reporting has highlighted a disheartening rise in the number of knife crimes, particularly in England and Wales. Cuts to police numbers, higher secondary school exclusion rates and the increase of drug dealing operations are likely among the contributory causes.
Banning drill: Deprivation, violence, and a failure of engagement
28 February 2019
Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Police secured two suspended nine-month prison sentences for 21-year-old drill rappers Skengdo and AM, after they breached a gang injunction banning them from performing a song.
Will El Chapo ever be stopped?
28 February 2019
Sixty-one-year-old Mexican drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán has been found guilty of multiple drug-related offences and sentenced to life imprisonment at a New York federal court after an eleven-week trial.
Gucci CEO faces blackface backlash: ‘We made a mistake, a Big One’.
25 February 2019
Gucci has been one of the latest fashion brands to have issued an apology after social media users pointed out its latest sweater’s resemblance to blackface.
Youth Injustice: More than half of young people in prison are of BAME background
15 February 2019
Jails in England and Wales contain a disproportionate number of youths from BAME backgrounds. This is the result of flaws in the justice system that urgently need to be addressed.
Instagram bans graphic self-harm images
12 February 2019
The father of Molly Russell, a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to self-harm images shared on Instagram, has argued that the popular social media platform 'helped kill’ his daughter. Instagram have since taken steps to reduce graphic content on their platform.
Universal Credit: ‘not fit for purpose’?
1 February 2019
Universal credit has proven highly controversial, with reports of astronomical overspending, administrative problems, and ministers ‘in denial’.
Overdraft fees: A broken system—and hopes of reform
30 January 2019
Earlier this year, headlines were made when it was announced that Lloyds Banking Group, which controls around a quarter of all current accounts, has introduced new charges on overdrafts. This would leave anyone borrowing less than £4,100 worse off and make borrowing more complicated.
McDonald’s Big Mac trade mark revoked
28 January 2019
McDonald’s has been deprived of the ‘Big Mac’ trade mark in a ruling of the European Union Intellectual Property Office earlier this year. The American giant was challenged by Irish fast food chain Supermac’s. The company sued McDonald’s on the grounds that the patented use of terms ‘Mc’ and ‘Big Mac’ is hindering its expansion across Europe.
