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robertzara.bsky.social
Retired District Judge, now a trustee Centre for Justice Innovation; bridge player, crossword solver, allotment gardener and dog owner.
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For St David’s Day we present our latest Channel 4 News/BBC News long-distance musical collaboration. Ciaran Jenkins (cello) is in Glasgow and I’m in Moscow (on the piano). Together we play Myfanwy. @c4ciaran.bsky.social

This article by the respected journalist Louise Tickle raises concerns about the local authority’s actions, but could do with some editing by a lawyer to clarify exactly what happened: www.tortoisemedia.com/2025/02/21/j...

I know it’s Friday in half term but this is appalling!

Many thanks for those kind words! Still waiting for my author’s copies to arrive!

This investigation reveals a shocking state of affairs. Is the Business & Trade Select Committee going to act? @mattwestern.bsky.social ?https://open.substack.com/pub/taxpolicyassociates/p/companies-house-failed-to-spot-a?r=8x3n0

The beautiful ceiling of Wyndham’s Theatre in London

An all-time record this morning: 🧩 Puzzle #547 🤔 7 guesses ⏱️ 36s 🔗 alphaguess.com

This submission by the Sentencing Council to the Gauke Sentencing Review is well worth reading by anyone interested in the issues. It is evidence-based and clearly explains the factors behind sentence inflation and the increase in the prison population: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/u...

This independent endorsement is very much appreciated!

A great analysis of the background to the social care crisis and of the Government’s timidity open.substack.com/pub/benansel...

People like me who've somehow mistakenly been “allowed in” to this exclusive world, which is still dominated by clans and cliques and dynasties of people born into Russell Group affluence, shudder to think about the hours we’ve frittered away chasing money owed to us... substack.com/@tomcox/note...

Looking for a new opportunity in 2025? I’m recruiting for a Parliamentary Assistant to work with me down in Westminster and help raise the issues that matter, nationally and locally. 🕒 Deadline is 9am this Monday - 6th January https://buff.ly/41Jp9pk

Presenting our 2024 BBC News/Channel 4 News musical Christmas collaboration. Ciaran Jenkins and I perform In The Bleak Midwinter. Wherever you are in the world, whatever you may be celebrating, our very best wishes. @c4ciaran.bsky.social @channel4news.bsky.social @petroc.bsky.social

@derekharrison.bsky.social any sign of this month’s Azed slip? Results are in the paper today

I think this is my absolute record, both for speed and number of guesses! 🧩 Puzzle #511 🤔 10 guesses ⏱️ 49s 🔗 alphaguess.com

The really surprising thing about this story is that the defendant found 12 firms in the area still doing legal aid!

www.theguardian.com/law/2024/dec... Very encouraging to read of David Gauke’s support for problem-solving courts

open.substack.com/pub/rozenber... An intriguing hint of criminal justice reforms coming soon?

Scroll down Slowly

It’s great that FDACs are increasingly being recognised by the senior judiciary and by politicians

A recent photo of the river Exe and some trees in the mist. Sorry, I apologise for posting Exe/tree/mist views on Bluesky.

🧩 Puzzle #478 🤔 12 guesses ⏱️ 58s 🔗 alphaguess.com

Whatever your views on assisted dying, this essay by Nicholas Mosul deserves to be read: open.substack.com/pub/lawdisor...

Am honestly delighted that for the first fiscal event in my memory, MoJ has been given some priority. Surely the swiftest return on reducing human misery is right here.

The significance of this intervention cannot be overstated. From the comments already attributed to him, it seems likely that David Gauke will share many of the views expressed in the paper.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a... This podcast may be of interest to anyone following the Post Office scandal, with particular reference to the role played by lawyers

Blood stocks are critically low & GiveBloodNHS need our help now more than ever. Giving blood is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. Please do consider giving blood if you can. Let's save lives together🙏❤️ #GiveBlood www.blood.co.uk

#Grenfell: good to hear Emma Dent Coad acknowledge that her reservations about the appointment of Sir Martin Moore-Bick were unfounded and she pays tribute to his compassion and tenacity - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

In a shameless attempt to grow my following on here, I'm going to be giving away a GE2024 poster to one lucky winner who retweets this post (and is following) in 24 hours time. Best of luck!

Hello! I would love to find my gang on Bluesky! If you oppose NHS privatisation please could you follow me and share this, and I’ll follow you back? Thank you!! Ju 💙💙💙