“The atmosphere of disbelief with which one is approached by the government is like a miasma”
Continue reading “PIPs again: An existence, not a life at the age of 49”
Author: Henry Brooke
I am a retired judge. I was formerly chair of the Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund, and am the sole patron of the Public Law Project. My work for the Slynn Foundation and Peace Brigades International (UK) involved me in helping justice systems in Eastern Europe and beleaguered human rights defenders, particularly in Central and South America. I am married, with four children and seven grandchildren.
De Profundis: A tale of misery from the front line
One of the most depressing aspects of the evidence received by Lord Bach’s Commission on Access to Justice (which is due to report in September) has been the chorus of complaints about the poor quality of decision-making Continue reading “De Profundis: A tale of misery from the front line”
A need for greater empathy (2)
There have been over 800 “views” of the short piece I posted two days ago, which has attracted some very kind comments in Twitterland, for which I am grateful. Continue reading “A need for greater empathy (2)”
The Online Court Hackathon
The Lord Chief Justice at the Hackathon
Today I joined the Online Court Hackathon, master-minded by my friend Richard Susskind, for its final hour. Continue reading “The Online Court Hackathon”
A need for greater empathy
In the current discussion about the leadership of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry David Lammy MP, who understands these issues so well, has just said: Continue reading “A need for greater empathy”
The North Kensington Law Centre
After I published my blog about law centres last night, Raji Hunjan[1], a former Director of the North Kensington Law Centre, sent me a message in which she told me that in the last five years the centre had fought to survive and to serve North Kensington despite huge cuts and little external support. Continue reading “The North Kensington Law Centre”
Law Centres: Empowering the disempowered
One of the most dangerous developments in recent years has been the way in which funding has been slashed for those lawyers who have a public service mission to help the disempowered Continue reading “Law Centres: Empowering the disempowered”
Harrow Law Centre (2)
I am the patron of Harrow Law Centre. Gary Younge’s article in The Guardian last week brings up to date what I wrote about it last year. Continue reading “Harrow Law Centre (2)”
Gaol Fever
Once again I am indebted to my Canadian friend John Wright for reminding me of some jewels from the history of our criminal courts. Continue reading “Gaol Fever”
Hackney Law Centre: (1) Housing cases
When Lord Bach’s Commission received evidence last year, we were told again and again about the damage that was being done because the Coaltion Government stopped any grants of legal aid for frontline “legal help” on benefits and housing problems, given at a small fixed fee, long before problems escalated into the crises that are created by evictions and homelessness. Continue reading “Hackney Law Centre: (1) Housing cases”
Henry Brooke 