Charlotte O'Brien
@cobrien.bsky.social
Professor of Law, University of York (she/her). Social security; EU law; discrimination; migration; social justice.
Pinned
Charlotte O'Brien
@cobrien.bsky.social
· Nov 21
We won the ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize for Outstanding Public Policy Impact last night. An inspiring evening, learning about projects making profound differences, highlighting the power of research (see: Yvonne McDermott Rees; @richardmoorhead.bsky.social; and many more)
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
The immigration doom loop in full swing.
Chasing the xenophobes is a doomed strategy both economically *and* politically.
(1/3)
archive.ph/pyVLg
Chasing the xenophobes is a doomed strategy both economically *and* politically.
(1/3)
archive.ph/pyVLg
January 10, 2026 at 3:52 AM
The immigration doom loop in full swing.
Chasing the xenophobes is a doomed strategy both economically *and* politically.
(1/3)
archive.ph/pyVLg
Chasing the xenophobes is a doomed strategy both economically *and* politically.
(1/3)
archive.ph/pyVLg
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
Why knee jerk responses from government make things worse when nobody understands the full consequences
New Year Pop Quiz: Which of the 6 million + people with EU Settlement Scheme status has documentary confirmation that they are residing on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement?
Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?
Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?
January 5, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Why knee jerk responses from government make things worse when nobody understands the full consequences
New Year Pop Quiz: Which of the 6 million + people with EU Settlement Scheme status has documentary confirmation that they are residing on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement?
Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?
Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?
January 5, 2026 at 2:37 PM
New Year Pop Quiz: Which of the 6 million + people with EU Settlement Scheme status has documentary confirmation that they are residing on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement?
Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?
Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
This started pretty much immediately, I have already heard several examples, as well as people looking to withdraw change of conditions applications and decideling not to apply. Families will be left destitute
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
Woman cancels all benefits including disability living allowance for daughter after policy change announcement
A low-paid carer from Ghana has cancelled all the benefits she is legally entitled to, including the disability allowance one of her children receives, owing to fears about her immigration status after the policy changes announced by the home secretary.
The radical changes to legal migration announced by Shabana Mahmood on 20 November will penalise those who are living and working legally in the UK, but who claim benefits. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
This started pretty much immediately, I have already heard several examples, as well as people looking to withdraw change of conditions applications and decideling not to apply. Families will be left destitute
The Grand Place in Brussels looking pretty grand - and for the first time I got to see a massive Xmas tree in the process of being decorated (with two mini cranes!). Also did a talk the next day to lawyers, academics and people from the EU Commission, about the exploitation of posted workers btw.
November 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The Grand Place in Brussels looking pretty grand - and for the first time I got to see a massive Xmas tree in the process of being decorated (with two mini cranes!). Also did a talk the next day to lawyers, academics and people from the EU Commission, about the exploitation of posted workers btw.
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
Join us for this film screening, followed by a discussion! 📽️👥
🗣️ Adrian Favell
🗣️ Pavel Bandakov
🗣️ @sarahganty.bsky.social
🗣️ @cobrien.bsky.social
🗓️ Nov 7, 4:30pm CET
📍 Budapest, Nador u. 15
Details:
👉 cutt.ly/6r3eHsOx
Registration:
👉 cutt.ly/hr3eIyW0
🗣️ Adrian Favell
🗣️ Pavel Bandakov
🗣️ @sarahganty.bsky.social
🗣️ @cobrien.bsky.social
🗓️ Nov 7, 4:30pm CET
📍 Budapest, Nador u. 15
Details:
👉 cutt.ly/6r3eHsOx
Registration:
👉 cutt.ly/hr3eIyW0
October 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Join us for this film screening, followed by a discussion! 📽️👥
🗣️ Adrian Favell
🗣️ Pavel Bandakov
🗣️ @sarahganty.bsky.social
🗣️ @cobrien.bsky.social
🗓️ Nov 7, 4:30pm CET
📍 Budapest, Nador u. 15
Details:
👉 cutt.ly/6r3eHsOx
Registration:
👉 cutt.ly/hr3eIyW0
🗣️ Adrian Favell
🗣️ Pavel Bandakov
🗣️ @sarahganty.bsky.social
🗣️ @cobrien.bsky.social
🗓️ Nov 7, 4:30pm CET
📍 Budapest, Nador u. 15
Details:
👉 cutt.ly/6r3eHsOx
Registration:
👉 cutt.ly/hr3eIyW0
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
This is grim - inc making volunteering a requirement when people are working long hours and facing high childcare costs, exacerbated by visas limiting labour mobility and no recourse to public funds, and penalising claiming benefits for those who have that option www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
High standard of English to be required for leave to remain, Mahmood to pledge
Home secretary to set out proposed tougher conditions including not taking benefits and ‘spotless’ criminal record
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:57 AM
This is grim - inc making volunteering a requirement when people are working long hours and facing high childcare costs, exacerbated by visas limiting labour mobility and no recourse to public funds, and penalising claiming benefits for those who have that option www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
Garden Court North's @tomroyston.bsky.social represented the two women, who earlier today won their High Court judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful and discriminatory tax reduction scheme, which left them and many other residents with massive bills.
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
Trafford Council’s tax reduction scheme quashed following High Court legal challenge - Garden Court North Chambers
Two women have today won their judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful tax reduction scheme in the High Court.
gcnchambers.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Garden Court North's @tomroyston.bsky.social represented the two women, who earlier today won their High Court judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful and discriminatory tax reduction scheme, which left them and many other residents with massive bills.
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
This is HUGE! For a lot of reasons, (it's a resounding rejection of how this council tax reduction scheme operated) but especially - a finding of a *Public Sector Equality Duty breach*!! On grounds of disability! And a warning about risks to fairness and lawfulness of automated decision making.
Really important High Court decision today, quashing a local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. The judgment contains many lessons about these schemes. Trafford's scheme was ultra vires, irrational, and unlawfully discriminatory, and breached the PSED @rightsnet.org.uk @nawra.bsky.social
![Judgment header of R (LL and AU) v Trafford Council [2025] EWHC 2380 (Admin) (19 September 2025)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5zcqf5ziw3b5qbd7znpzfczs/bafkreianq64gn3q42rev45kktyqbjy54tw3iommvspxux52sgmx2wehbdy@jpeg)
September 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This is HUGE! For a lot of reasons, (it's a resounding rejection of how this council tax reduction scheme operated) but especially - a finding of a *Public Sector Equality Duty breach*!! On grounds of disability! And a warning about risks to fairness and lawfulness of automated decision making.
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
We are delighted to share Conor Gearty @lselaw.bsky.social’s reflections on writing: 8 tips for surviving (and enjoying!) academic writing.
Many thanks to Conor for sharing his insights!
Article: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
Series: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
Many thanks to Conor for sharing his insights!
Article: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
Series: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
July 23, 2025 at 9:41 AM
We are delighted to share Conor Gearty @lselaw.bsky.social’s reflections on writing: 8 tips for surviving (and enjoying!) academic writing.
Many thanks to Conor for sharing his insights!
Article: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
Series: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
Many thanks to Conor for sharing his insights!
Article: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
Series: doi.org/10.53386/nil...
Did you know that the Scottish Government has immediate plans to introduce a top-up benefit for families in Scotland affected by the UK's two child limit? Short 🧵
The Scottish Commission on Social Security scrutinised the draft regulations at pace this summer & I was invited to submit observations
The Scottish Commission on Social Security scrutinised the draft regulations at pace this summer & I was invited to submit observations
September 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Did you know that the Scottish Government has immediate plans to introduce a top-up benefit for families in Scotland affected by the UK's two child limit? Short 🧵
The Scottish Commission on Social Security scrutinised the draft regulations at pace this summer & I was invited to submit observations
The Scottish Commission on Social Security scrutinised the draft regulations at pace this summer & I was invited to submit observations
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
We escaped war and torture but now we feel unsafe in Britain
Special report: Amid protests and rising aggression towards asylum seekers across the country, we spoke to those being targeted
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I’ve been frustrated to see so much of the ongoing story about asylum seekers and the protests against them covered without hearing from those seeking asylum and now being met with hostility and hatred
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
I set out to speak to those directly affected to find out about the impact this is having 👇
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
Happy publication day!
Public Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Public-Law-a...
Private Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Private-Law-...
Public Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Public-Law-a...
Private Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Private-Law-...
Public Law and the UK Supreme Court: Key Cases and Decisions
This volume brings together expert commentators across different fields of public law to comment on key decisions by the UK Supreme Court (UKSC).
Each author explores their case’s content, as well as ...
www.routledge.com
August 15, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Happy publication day!
Public Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Public-Law-a...
Private Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Private-Law-...
Public Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Public-Law-a...
Private Law and the UK Supreme Court: www.routledge.com/Private-Law-...
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
(3) In follow-up, Dr Gilmore co-authored a letter with Professor David Mead (UEA Law School), published in The Guardian on 15 July 2025, warning that restrictions on jury trials threaten access to justice in protest cases.
August 1, 2025 at 3:29 PM
(3) In follow-up, Dr Gilmore co-authored a letter with Professor David Mead (UEA Law School), published in The Guardian on 15 July 2025, warning that restrictions on jury trials threaten access to justice in protest cases.
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
(2) The submission addressed issue of overcharging in protest-related cases.This work builds on Dr Gilmore and her colleagues’ BA/Leverhulme-funded project, Justifying Protest in the Courts: Voice, Democracy, and the Law [BA SRG 23–24].
August 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
(2) The submission addressed issue of overcharging in protest-related cases.This work builds on Dr Gilmore and her colleagues’ BA/Leverhulme-funded project, Justifying Protest in the Courts: Voice, Democracy, and the Law [BA SRG 23–24].
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
@uoy-yorklawschool.bsky.social Dr Joanna Gilmore’s research on criminalisation of protest receives national recognition. Co-authored submission with Dr Graeme Hayes (Aston Univ) Dr Steven Canmiss (Birmingham Uni) & Prof Brian Doherty (Keele Uni) cited in Independent Review of Criminal Courts (1)
August 1, 2025 at 3:27 PM
@uoy-yorklawschool.bsky.social Dr Joanna Gilmore’s research on criminalisation of protest receives national recognition. Co-authored submission with Dr Graeme Hayes (Aston Univ) Dr Steven Canmiss (Birmingham Uni) & Prof Brian Doherty (Keele Uni) cited in Independent Review of Criminal Courts (1)
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
So, they are going to share the locations of where highly vulnerable individuals live with firms which have suffered massive data breaches? Hmm, what could possibly go wrong.
July 23, 2025 at 9:17 AM
So, they are going to share the locations of where highly vulnerable individuals live with firms which have suffered massive data breaches? Hmm, what could possibly go wrong.
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
Come and join us!
We’re recruiting an experienced researcher for our exciting new 3 year @nuffieldfoundation.org project - ‘Voices for equity: from evidence to action’
CV and letter by 15th August
www.britishfuture.org/about-us/jobs/
We’re recruiting an experienced researcher for our exciting new 3 year @nuffieldfoundation.org project - ‘Voices for equity: from evidence to action’
CV and letter by 15th August
www.britishfuture.org/about-us/jobs/
Jobs - British Future
www.britishfuture.org
July 23, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Come and join us!
We’re recruiting an experienced researcher for our exciting new 3 year @nuffieldfoundation.org project - ‘Voices for equity: from evidence to action’
CV and letter by 15th August
www.britishfuture.org/about-us/jobs/
We’re recruiting an experienced researcher for our exciting new 3 year @nuffieldfoundation.org project - ‘Voices for equity: from evidence to action’
CV and letter by 15th August
www.britishfuture.org/about-us/jobs/
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
there are so many great things about generative AI! here are some of my favorites <3
July 13, 2025 at 10:17 PM
there are so many great things about generative AI! here are some of my favorites <3
Reposted by Charlotte O'Brien
I've updated my collection of Brexit law sources - in light of the reset plus other recent developments - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/p/guide-to-b...
Guide to Brexit sources (updated July 2025)
Professor Steve Peers , Royal Holloway University of London Updates: April 29 and 30 2021 to include links on the B...
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com
July 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I've updated my collection of Brexit law sources - in light of the reset plus other recent developments - eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/p/guide-to-b...
This looks brilliant!
Really pleased and proud to announce a new @ihr.bsky.social seminar - Migration and Mobility History. We want to cover migration across time and space and speak with colleagues across disciplines. If you're interested in attending/presenting, get in touch: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...
Migration and Mobility History
The IHR Migration and Mobility seminar provides a space for historians and scholars from other disciplines to come together to discuss migration and mobility in history.
www.history.ac.uk
July 11, 2025 at 10:21 AM
This looks brilliant!
The correct plural for Weetabix is Weetabices. #academicbreakfast
June 24, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The correct plural for Weetabix is Weetabices. #academicbreakfast
AI getting humans to do the grunt work is… the starting point of dystopian sci-fi plots?
Oh man, ChatGPT doesn't want to do my tedious manual task for me because it will be too tedious and time-consuming. Suggesting I do it instead. I feel like this isn't what I was promised??!
June 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
AI getting humans to do the grunt work is… the starting point of dystopian sci-fi plots?