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.
The Lucy Letby case: What does it mean for the United Kingdom’s healthcare system? 26 February 2024
On 18 August 2023, Lucy Letby was convicted of the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six. This makes her the most prolific child killer in the modern history of the United Kingdom (UK). In the wake of this conviction, this blog will discuss the case’s legal impacts on the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Is Artificial Intelligence Taking over the Entertainment Industry? 15 February 2024
The Writers Guild of America West (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strikes brought business in the Hollywood film industry to a halt. While other important factors led up to the industrial actions, the production companies’ schemes, also known as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), to implement artificial intelligence technologies was the catalyst for the strikes, raising controversial questions about what was at stake for Hollywood.
If the Government Rape Adviser cannot get justice – who can? 31 January 2024
Former Ministry of Justice Rape Adviser Emily Hunt claims there is a “lack of will” to improve the criminal justice system for sexual violence victims. This blog explores the current system and askes what the police and Crown Prosecution Service are doing to address serious concerns.
An exploration into Clinical Legal Education in Trinidad and Tobago 18 December 2023
Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre students attend Hugh Wooding Law School’s Legal Aid Centre on a Clinical Exchange Programme.
Black History Month 10 October 2023
Black History Month recognises the rich and varied contributions to British Society made by the culturally diverse communities across the UK. Held every October, this month-long event reminds us of the historical struggles, achievements and ongoing challenges faced by black people in the United Kingdom (UK). It provides an opportunity to raise awareness, promote understanding and engage in meaningful discussions about issues of race and social injustice. In this article, we will delve into the origins and significance of Black History Month.
AI - Regulatory Sabotage for the Legal Industry? 21 August 2023
This blog explores artificial intelligence and its role in the legal industry.
Demystifying Non-Domiciled residents - who are they, who qualifies, potential reforms and what are the benefits? 19 June 2023
This article aims to analyse the repercussions of recent reforms and inform non-domicile residents on their options regarding payment of taxes.
The (in)effectiveness of gender-based violence laws 9 June 2023
Gender-based violence occurs when there is any harm committed against a person’s will as a result of power inequalities based on gender roles.
NFTs and Crypto, Decoding the Unknown 8 June 2023
In our previous blog, we explored the current legislative framework of Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) and whether it is sufficient to protect digital creators. The blog concluded that the legal institutions have not yet been able to catch up to the speed of development of NFTs; it is the aim of the Law Commission to clarify the law on these digital assets. Linking on from this, this blog will explore the legal status of NFTs and cryptocurrency in the UK and around the world.
Is the “Investigation” of Mermaids Putting Young Transgender People at Risk? 6 June 2023
Mermaids describe themselves as a charity that “supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday”. In light of the partial closure of its services, this blog will review why Mermaids is deemed controversial by its critics. It will also consider how the law can assist our evaluation of Mermaids’ partial closure and its potential risk to young transgender people.
What is Awaab’s Law and how did the death of the two-year old reopen the discussion about the public housing sector? 30 May 2023
On Thursday the 9th of February 2023, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, announced amendments to the Social Housing Regulation Bill. The amendments are called Awaab’s Law, named after Awaab Ishak, who died in December 2020 due to poor housing conditions. This amendment aims to confront the issue of poor housing by recognising the mistakes made by Awaab’s death.
Why is there an Over-representation of Black, Asian, and Minorities Ethnic (BAME) in the Criminal Justice System? 27 April 2023
There are several factors that contribute to the over-representation of BAME individuals in the criminal justice system such as discrimination, racial bias, and cultural differences. BAME individuals are more likely to be prosecuted, and subject to discrimination across the criminal justice system in comparison to white people.
Image-Based Sexual Abuse Laws: Bridging the Gap 26 April 2023
In this era of extensive use of online platforms, a prominent issue is image-based sexual abuse. This is a broad term which refers to a range of abusive behaviours including the taking and/or distribution of nude or sexual images without consent, including threats to do so, with the intent to embarrass or to cause distress.
Towards better working conditions for cancer patients? 21 April 2023
Today one out of two people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime (IARC 2020). Medical science has made progress and mortality from cancer has fallen dramatically, which means that people might have to continue working during and after their illness. While the law provides some protection for cancer patients at work, there are still loopholes that need to be addressed. How can people manage to balance work and illness and what needs to change in the law to support this?
Re-evaluating human rights in 2022: Rishi Sunak’s attempt at eliminating legal protections for trans people 24 February 2023
As talks of a possible amendment to the Equality Act 2010 are underway, the legal rights of trans people are at risk – but, as we will try to show, trans people may not be the only ones affected by these changes.
Young, innocent and homeless: explaining the impacts of domestic violence on children 25 January 2023
Arguably before Covid-19, the implications for children living in a household where at least one parent was perpetrating abuse, were little acknowledged. Covid-19 revealed a pandemic of domestic violence and highlighted the need to consider the wider impacts of such violence on a child’s lived experience. This article will address the correlation between children witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse and youth homelessness.
Where will Ukrainian refugees go under Sunak? 20 December 2022
On 24 February 2022 we witnessed the start of the war in Ukraine and the desperate migration of Ukrainians seeking sanctuary. The UK was the only European nation not to provide a visa-free entry path to Ukrainians and instead provided six-month placements.
NFTs - the downfall of digital creators. 20 December 2022
Upon reading the title of this blog the first question that likely crosses your mind is, ‘What is an NFT?’.
(Re)liability of Autonomous Cars 20 December 2022
The advent of technology has significantly and permanently impacted most aspects of our lives. Travel is no exception, with distances feeling shorter than ever with the development of high-speed, comfortable and convenient modes of transport. The latest innovation in the transport field comes in the form of self-driving vehicles - with brands like Tesla, Mercedes, Audi and Google leading the way in this booming sector.
Old Sails, New Winds of Change? Harnessing the ‘will’ to recompense historical wrongs shapes the future 15 December 2022
What are we to make of Charles III, who just months before taking up his new role as king, spoke of his “personal sorrow” over the crimes of slavery, marking the Commonwealth’s first official recognition of its dark origins? Or elsewhere, where we witnessed the largest ever global protests following the gruesome killing of George Floyd? Are we in fact on the cusp of meaningful change when it comes to making amends for historical and entrenched systemic injustices?
Intellectual Property in the Context of Social Media: Relevant Precautions You Need to Take and How to Use Online Platforms Lawfully 25 November 2022
With the processes of digitisation and globalisation of the 21st century, social media has become not only the primary means of communication, but also a mass creative space.
Should the duty on private employers to make reasonable adjustment for the disabled be the same as that for public bodies? 9 June 2022
A fundamental flaw in the Equality Act’s disability rights protection mechanism is that it leaves the disabled at a substantial—and arguably disproportionate—disadvantage in private-sector employment.
P&O Ferries Dismissals and the Law of Mass Redundancies 30 May 2022
As protests continue over the sacking of 800 employees, questions surrounding workers’ rights are at the forefront of the news. Was the termination legal and if so, what are the workers’ rights?
Latest Review of The Draft Online Safety Bill from the perspective of SPITE victims 11 April 2022
On 8 February 2022, the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre and Mishcon de Reya published a note on the draft Online Safety Bill. The purpose of this exercise was to look at the draft Bill from the perspective of victims of image based sexual abuse "revenge porn" (we refer to them as SPITE victims – Sharing and Publishing Images To Embarrass), and to propose modest amendments that would improve the protection provided to them.
A Rundown of the Anti-Refugee Bill and Why Asylum Seekers Deserve Better 17 March 2022
This is a short review of what we mean when we say ‘asylum seeker’ in the context of the UK and how the Nationality and Borders Bill will negatively affect asylum seekers if passed.
Pandora Papers, the Hidden Mind Behind and the Right to Legal Advice 22 February 2022
The biggest data leak on tax avoidance revealing shady transactions of multimillionaires. Tax avoidance is not an illegal practice; however, one global law firm’s name was mentioned in thousands of documents. Could the law firm have rejected those clients bearing in mind the fundamental right to legal advice we all have?
Review of The Draft Online Safety Bill from the perspective of SPITE victims 8 February 2022
Summary of findings by Mishcon de Reya LLP and Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre, as part of the SPITE Project
Social Media, Misinformation and the Law 7 February 2022
Social media has allowed false ideas to spread throughout the internet. Does the UK have any legislation in place to prevent misinformation through social media?
Is Dominic Raab’s proposal to curtail judicial power constitutional? 21 December 2021
Analysis of proposals by Dominic Raab to reform judicial review, by introducing a ministerial mechanism to “correct” judicial decisions perceived by the government to be wrong.
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?
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?
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.