Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 13h

I am thrilled to sign a contract with @hartpublishing to author a book provisionally titled ‘The Life and Works of Glanville Williams: Writing the Law’.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 1d

Yes. It’s the same playbook.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 1d

Extremely concerning report about Christian nationalism in Wales ⬇️

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 1d

Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien chaired a meeting at which a Welsh far-right hate group spread ‘untrue’ claims about religious education, a Swansea primary school has claimed. The meeting centred on entirely unsubstantiated allegations that pupils had been forced to recite Islamic prayers.

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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 1d

Reform councillor Francesca O’Brien chaired a meeting at which a Welsh far-right hate group spread ‘untrue’ claims about religious education, a Swansea primary school has claimed. The meeting centred on entirely unsubstantiated allegations that pupils had been forced to recite Islamic prayers.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 1d

Delighted to receive my copies of the latest books in our Anthem Studies in Law Reform book series.

See: anthempress.com/anthem-studi...

Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 2d

Delighted to be quoted in this article on Hitched about the proposed wedding law reforms:

www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-plan...

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 3d

Could you get into legal trouble for having this mug on your desk at work?

Find out more in my latest blog post:

sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com/2025/10/06/l...

Litigation of the Daleks

A recent Employment Tribunal decision has hit the news since one of the matters raised was a Dalek mug. This post delves beyond the headlines to consider what was said in the decision and to explor…

sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 4d

New blog post

Following news stories about an Employment Tribunal decision concerning a Dalek mug, my new blog post looks at what the decision actually said and why we should be cautious of such news stories:

sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com/2025/10/06/l...

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 8d

New video on the welcome news that the Government is to proceed with marriage law reform: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mx-...

See my book for more information on the need for reform and how it could be enacted: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/religion-and...

The Government Announces Wedding Law Reform

YouTube video by Russell Sandberg

www.youtube.com

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 8d

Excellent news from the Ministry of Justice that comprehensive wedding law reform is on its way, following the recommendations of the Law Commission. New consultation due 2026. More details at: sandbergrlaw.wordpress.com/2025/10/02/g...

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 10d

This is an important read ⬇️

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 11d

The far right presents Islamist extremism and Christian Nationalism as a binary choice. Reject that lie. These movements mirror & feed each other. The answer is for people of goodwill, religious or not, to unite around shared values in defence of a society where everyone's human rights are protected

One extremism won’t save you from another

In the face of concerns about rising Christian Nationalism in the UK, the retort from some quarters has been to suggest that it is at least a better option than Islamic fundamentalism. This implies a…

humanists.uk

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 11d

The far right presents Islamist extremism and Christian Nationalism as a binary choice. Reject that lie. These movements mirror & feed each other. The answer is for people of goodwill, religious or not, to unite around shared values in defence of a society where everyone's human rights are protected

One extremism won’t save you from another

In the face of concerns about rising Christian Nationalism in the UK, the retort from some quarters has been to suggest that it is at least a better option than Islamic fundamentalism. This implies a…

humanists.uk

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National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 11d

Current charity law is allowing religious organisations which promote misogyny to claim all the benefits of charitable status, including tax breaks.

So says our new report, 'Mission and Misogyny'. Read the full story👇

www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/09...

NSS report: Religious charities promoting misogyny with impunity

New report from NSS reveals charities promoting or condoning women's subordination, marital rape and FGM. Read More »

www.secularism.org.uk

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 21d

Fifty years of Fawlty Towers! Still unsurpassed in terms of TV comedy. Yes, a very small amount of it has dated. But overall it remains hilarious and the gold standard of comedy performance and writing generally. #FawltyTowers

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Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 22d

-cease and desist
-null and void
-aid and abet
-free and clear
-ways and means

Why is law stuff like this always two words?

These are called ‘legal doublets’ and we can once again blame the Normans.

🧵⬇️

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 23d

This is very concerning. Completely agree with @humanists.uk on this. Religious education needs to be pluralistic - and that includes not just limited to religions let alone one! The days of Religious Instruction in schools is far gone. Let’s not turn the clocks back.

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 23d

What? No. Religion in schools should be taught about from an objective and broad view, giving children the chance to think for themselves about what they believe. Learning about different religions or beliefs is not 'brainwashing'. What is closer to indoctrination is insisting on Christian-only RE.

Reform councillor says RE should be Christian only to end 'brainwashing'.

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Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 23d

What? No. Religion in schools should be taught about from an objective and broad view, giving children the chance to think for themselves about what they believe. Learning about different religions or beliefs is not 'brainwashing'. What is closer to indoctrination is insisting on Christian-only RE.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 25d

Fair enough - some people will want one and some people will want the other. For both sets of people, the law is currently inadequate, out of date and discriminatory.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 25d

I agree in so far that I think the kind of cohabitation rights that apply in other countries should also exist here. But I don’t see why you can’t have both. An accessible and equal law on marriage / civil partnerships for those who want that. And cohabitation rights for those who do not.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 25d

That’s fair enough. But legally a number of rights come as a result of being married or in a civil partnership. And so, it’s important that access to marriage for those who want to get married is not inhibited. The current law discriminates since it only reposted certain ceremonies.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 25d

What do you mean?

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 25d

It’s a marriage ceremony conducted by a humanist celebrant. That person would typically be someone under the auspices of Humanists UK.

Such marriages are common in other countries.

Civil weddings here are conducted by State registrars with restrictions as to their contents.