Jacob Gifford Head
@giffordhead.co.uk
Barrister & mediator.
Things I like: legal history & legal oddities; music & musical instruments; Mesopotamian history; & Portuguese wine and Port.
My professional website is: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk
Please email rather than DM!
Forgive typos.
Things I like: legal history & legal oddities; music & musical instruments; Mesopotamian history; & Portuguese wine and Port.
My professional website is: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk
Please email rather than DM!
Forgive typos.
This is quite fun!
Incidentally: you know how everyone who lives around Shoreditch or Spitalfields has a Gilbert & George story? Mine is that I spent most of my childhood a 10 minutes' walk down Brick Lane from where they lived yet never saw them...
Incidentally: you know how everyone who lives around Shoreditch or Spitalfields has a Gilbert & George story? Mine is that I spent most of my childhood a 10 minutes' walk down Brick Lane from where they lived yet never saw them...
For their Hayward Gallery exhibition, the shop commissioned some Gilbert & George Rubik’s Cubes - and they're just £12.50 at the moment.
Put them on the bookshelf and shuffle the cube every so often for a "new"artwork".
shop.southbankcentre.co.uk/collections/...
Put them on the bookshelf and shuffle the cube every so often for a "new"artwork".
shop.southbankcentre.co.uk/collections/...
Gilbert & George Rubik's Cube
Limited Edition Gilbert & George CORPSING Rubik’s Cube This exclusive Rubik’s Cube has been created in a limited run of just 500 pieces, each featuring imagery from Gilbert & George’s powerful...
shop.southbankcentre.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 3:28 PM
This is quite fun!
Incidentally: you know how everyone who lives around Shoreditch or Spitalfields has a Gilbert & George story? Mine is that I spent most of my childhood a 10 minutes' walk down Brick Lane from where they lived yet never saw them...
Incidentally: you know how everyone who lives around Shoreditch or Spitalfields has a Gilbert & George story? Mine is that I spent most of my childhood a 10 minutes' walk down Brick Lane from where they lived yet never saw them...
I am absolutely fascinated that SCOTUS wants 40 (!) printed & bound copies of petitions. I wonder what they do with all of them? It must be an absolute mountain of paper!
Justice Jackson takes an interesting stand today. SCOTUS often waives the filing fees for indigent parties—but refuses to do so after they file multiple "frivolous" petitions. Jackson says that's unfair and dissents from the practice moving forward. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
January 20, 2026 at 2:49 PM
I am absolutely fascinated that SCOTUS wants 40 (!) printed & bound copies of petitions. I wonder what they do with all of them? It must be an absolute mountain of paper!
Thanks to @columnist.bsky.social for drawing me attention to this place in Somerset House. Never had boiled peanuts before which are rather good if messy. And anywhere which has good sparkling water gets my vote...
January 20, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Thanks to @columnist.bsky.social for drawing me attention to this place in Somerset House. Never had boiled peanuts before which are rather good if messy. And anywhere which has good sparkling water gets my vote...
Following on from our recent discussion about the number of legal regulators in the UK and whether they could be merged; this is a good example of why many lawyers would not seek to be regulated by the SRA despite it being the largest.
The High Court has set aside the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal’s determination against Ashley Hurst, relating to correspondence sent to Dan Needle for Nadhim Zahawi, for insufficient analysis/reasoning, legal misdirection, and unfairness.
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2...
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2...
Ashley Hurst v Solicitors Regulation Authority -
Find Case Law
- The National Archives
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Following on from our recent discussion about the number of legal regulators in the UK and whether they could be merged; this is a good example of why many lawyers would not seek to be regulated by the SRA despite it being the largest.
I'm a bit embarrassed that I didn't know this existed until tonight. A new venture from Taylor's this "Sentinels" vintage port seems to be a new 2nd label, though it's still rather expensive at £35 a bottle. Absolutely delightfully drinkable, you could sink a bottle without a 2nd thought. 1/
January 19, 2026 at 8:01 PM
I'm a bit embarrassed that I didn't know this existed until tonight. A new venture from Taylor's this "Sentinels" vintage port seems to be a new 2nd label, though it's still rather expensive at £35 a bottle. Absolutely delightfully drinkable, you could sink a bottle without a 2nd thought. 1/
Following a post from @florarenz.bsky.social about the playing of the National Anthem at graduation ceremonies; I seem to remember an article about it being played at the start and end of orchestral and opera seasons in London. But I now can’t find it. Can anyone remember when it stopped?
January 19, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Following a post from @florarenz.bsky.social about the playing of the National Anthem at graduation ceremonies; I seem to remember an article about it being played at the start and end of orchestral and opera seasons in London. But I now can’t find it. Can anyone remember when it stopped?
I was really pleased to find a copy of this book yesterday, since I own a decent number of historic musical instruments and am worried about their preservation and use.
Though I was rather alarmed to see these notes, presumably from an editor, within it! 😬
Though I was rather alarmed to see these notes, presumably from an editor, within it! 😬
January 18, 2026 at 10:12 AM
I was really pleased to find a copy of this book yesterday, since I own a decent number of historic musical instruments and am worried about their preservation and use.
Though I was rather alarmed to see these notes, presumably from an editor, within it! 😬
Though I was rather alarmed to see these notes, presumably from an editor, within it! 😬
Is anyone familiar with how gAI works on a technical level and could comment on this? I assumed that setting out hallucinated citations in judgments wouldn't matter since the gAI has enough genuine cases to be able to be able to hallucinate convincing citations.
January 17, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Is anyone familiar with how gAI works on a technical level and could comment on this? I assumed that setting out hallucinated citations in judgments wouldn't matter since the gAI has enough genuine cases to be able to be able to hallucinate convincing citations.
Very glad to have made it to the end of this week!
A peaceful Shabbat to all those who observe it. And an enjoyable weekend to everyone else who is able to take it off!
A peaceful Shabbat to all those who observe it. And an enjoyable weekend to everyone else who is able to take it off!
January 16, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Very glad to have made it to the end of this week!
A peaceful Shabbat to all those who observe it. And an enjoyable weekend to everyone else who is able to take it off!
A peaceful Shabbat to all those who observe it. And an enjoyable weekend to everyone else who is able to take it off!
This is interesting, though it doesn't feel to me much like a test case. It's presumably a dispute over s53(1)(b) LPA 1925 after Hudson v Hathway where typing the name "Lee" in an email was found to render it "signed writing" to dispose of the equitable interest.
January 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM
This is interesting, though it doesn't feel to me much like a test case. It's presumably a dispute over s53(1)(b) LPA 1925 after Hudson v Hathway where typing the name "Lee" in an email was found to render it "signed writing" to dispose of the equitable interest.
I have been asked to help out with a simple information-only website for a commercial organisation. Whilst I have a certain amount of experience in doing this myself, for various reasons I need to contract it out to a company that could provide long term support. Could I seek some recommendations?
January 16, 2026 at 12:43 PM
I have been asked to help out with a simple information-only website for a commercial organisation. Whilst I have a certain amount of experience in doing this myself, for various reasons I need to contract it out to a company that could provide long term support. Could I seek some recommendations?
One other thought. Because an appeal against conviction is, at the moment, as of right and by way of a retrial; the appeal notice is a very short document. Setting out grounds of appeal with a skeleton argument on a transcript is much more work. Will there be legal aid for that?
The MoJ confirmed on Tuesday that under the proposed criminal justice reforms (& contra Leveson) appeals from magistrates courts would be considered by a single judge alone (currently a judge & 2 magistrates, & 3 judges for Crown Court appeals).
committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
January 16, 2026 at 9:32 AM
One other thought. Because an appeal against conviction is, at the moment, as of right and by way of a retrial; the appeal notice is a very short document. Setting out grounds of appeal with a skeleton argument on a transcript is much more work. Will there be legal aid for that?
Is this capable of working without making the Magistrates' Court a court of record? How can you have a permission stage for an appeal without the Judge knowing what was said in court?
The MoJ confirmed on Tuesday that under the proposed criminal justice reforms (& contra Leveson) appeals from magistrates courts would be considered by a single judge alone (currently a judge & 2 magistrates, & 3 judges for Crown Court appeals).
committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence...
January 16, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Is this capable of working without making the Magistrates' Court a court of record? How can you have a permission stage for an appeal without the Judge knowing what was said in court?
UK authorities secure extradition of a chap from Spain. Decided to fly him back on a private jet? Then seek the cost of the charter from him?? His defence solicitor mitigates on the basis that he should have been flown first class?!? No idea how this happens...
TikTok star HSTikkyTokky will not repay full extradition costs
Harrison Sullivan will not have to pay the full cost of the jet that police chartered to arrest him.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 10:16 PM
UK authorities secure extradition of a chap from Spain. Decided to fly him back on a private jet? Then seek the cost of the charter from him?? His defence solicitor mitigates on the basis that he should have been flown first class?!? No idea how this happens...
Strong vibes of this from Le Tour de France.
January 15, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Strong vibes of this from Le Tour de France.
Fans of civil procedure in England might be interested in what—to me, at least—is an unexpected outing of Mazur in the criminal courts. Have there been any authorities on this yet?
Serial rail fare evader faces jail over 112 unpaid tickets
Charles Brohiri pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket a total of 112 times.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Fans of civil procedure in England might be interested in what—to me, at least—is an unexpected outing of Mazur in the criminal courts. Have there been any authorities on this yet?
I posted a while ago that I finally found a way of fragrancing my office without filling it with smoke: a heater that uses a old-fashioned incandescent bulb for gentle but constant heat.
Quite interesting watch the Frankincense literally cook over months from white to deep amber.
Quite interesting watch the Frankincense literally cook over months from white to deep amber.
January 14, 2026 at 5:40 PM
I posted a while ago that I finally found a way of fragrancing my office without filling it with smoke: a heater that uses a old-fashioned incandescent bulb for gentle but constant heat.
Quite interesting watch the Frankincense literally cook over months from white to deep amber.
Quite interesting watch the Frankincense literally cook over months from white to deep amber.
I am wholly unsurprised to read this.
I remember on Twitter a few years ago someone took a photograph of a plug socket hanging off the wall in a robing room which I immediately recognised having encountered it several years previously and thought “this really isn’t very safe”.
I remember on Twitter a few years ago someone took a photograph of a plug socket hanging off the wall in a robing room which I immediately recognised having encountered it several years previously and thought “this really isn’t very safe”.
Child rape trial delayed after a plug explodes under the prosecutor's bench
Sparks flying, strong smell of burning, a lawyer lucky not to have been electrocuted
But in a sign of how we simply cope with terrible court decay, the prosecutor took a minute, moved along the bench & got on with case prep
Sparks flying, strong smell of burning, a lawyer lucky not to have been electrocuted
But in a sign of how we simply cope with terrible court decay, the prosecutor took a minute, moved along the bench & got on with case prep
January 14, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I am wholly unsurprised to read this.
I remember on Twitter a few years ago someone took a photograph of a plug socket hanging off the wall in a robing room which I immediately recognised having encountered it several years previously and thought “this really isn’t very safe”.
I remember on Twitter a few years ago someone took a photograph of a plug socket hanging off the wall in a robing room which I immediately recognised having encountered it several years previously and thought “this really isn’t very safe”.
Does anyone use any of those services aimed at muting screenshots from other sites like XBlock Screenshot Labeller (below)? Thinking this might be a way of improving my experience here but not sure which one to try and whether it works.
bsky.app/profile/xblo...
bsky.app/profile/xblo...
bsky.app
January 14, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Does anyone use any of those services aimed at muting screenshots from other sites like XBlock Screenshot Labeller (below)? Thinking this might be a way of improving my experience here but not sure which one to try and whether it works.
bsky.app/profile/xblo...
bsky.app/profile/xblo...
I'm sure someone here once told me they knew the reason why various bits of the DVLA website are only available between 7am and 7pm. Having just found I can't do something until tomorrow causing very minor annoyance, can I ask if someone can remind me of the reason?
January 13, 2026 at 9:33 PM
I'm sure someone here once told me they knew the reason why various bits of the DVLA website are only available between 7am and 7pm. Having just found I can't do something until tomorrow causing very minor annoyance, can I ask if someone can remind me of the reason?
This is just so grim. One of the things that really bothers me is that I don’t think Jo Sidhu’s case was unique. I worry about how prevalent yet un- or under-reported it is.
Barrister disbarred for sexual misconduct loses appeal - in @thetimes.com www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
Barrister disbarred for sexual misconduct loses appeal
Navjot “Jo” Sidhu attempted to appeal against his disbarment but did not challenge the finding that he “pressured a young lawyer” into sex
www.thetimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:01 PM
This is just so grim. One of the things that really bothers me is that I don’t think Jo Sidhu’s case was unique. I worry about how prevalent yet un- or under-reported it is.
I absolutely love Harden’s devotion to testing our geographic knowledge of the UK by listing new restaurants by their postal district and a single place name.
(The House of George is, obviously, located in the Cotswolds village of Broadway rather than the Somerset one...)
(The House of George is, obviously, located in the Cotswolds village of Broadway rather than the Somerset one...)
January 13, 2026 at 9:22 AM
I absolutely love Harden’s devotion to testing our geographic knowledge of the UK by listing new restaurants by their postal district and a single place name.
(The House of George is, obviously, located in the Cotswolds village of Broadway rather than the Somerset one...)
(The House of George is, obviously, located in the Cotswolds village of Broadway rather than the Somerset one...)
My wishlist for the next Master of the Rolls:
1) A particular interest in cases outside the High Court.
2) A focus on boring IT like document management systems rather than blue-sky-thinking.
3) Someone who has practised as a mediator.
What about yours?
1) A particular interest in cases outside the High Court.
2) A focus on boring IT like document management systems rather than blue-sky-thinking.
3) Someone who has practised as a mediator.
What about yours?
Sir Geoffrey Vos has announced that he will retire from the judiciary and as Master of the Rolls on 31 October 2026, when he will be 71. By then, will have spent a decade in senior judicial leadership roles.
www.judiciary.uk/master-of-th...
www.judiciary.uk/master-of-th...
Master of the Rolls announces forthcoming retirement from the judiciary - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Read more about Sir Geoffrey Vos, the second most senior judge in England and Wales, and his long and distinguished career
www.judiciary.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:40 PM
My wishlist for the next Master of the Rolls:
1) A particular interest in cases outside the High Court.
2) A focus on boring IT like document management systems rather than blue-sky-thinking.
3) Someone who has practised as a mediator.
What about yours?
1) A particular interest in cases outside the High Court.
2) A focus on boring IT like document management systems rather than blue-sky-thinking.
3) Someone who has practised as a mediator.
What about yours?
I sometimes wonder how the hordes of people who respond to posts like this with comments about wanting only to taste vegetables in their vegan or vegetarian diets would have responded to the invention of seitan, shojin ryori cuisine in Japan or even falafel.
The problem with impossible burgers is simple: the best veggie burgers all look and taste like veggie burgers, you can see bits of veggie in them, etc
The market for people who want to not eat meat, but pretend to, is tiny
This is why Beyond Meat is going bankrupt
www.fooddive.com/news/beyond-...
The market for people who want to not eat meat, but pretend to, is tiny
This is why Beyond Meat is going bankrupt
www.fooddive.com/news/beyond-...
Beyond Meat taking longer to pay its bills as plant-based sales plunge
The company said it is “not planning to file for bankruptcy” even as data shows an increase in overdue payments.
www.fooddive.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:49 AM
I sometimes wonder how the hordes of people who respond to posts like this with comments about wanting only to taste vegetables in their vegan or vegetarian diets would have responded to the invention of seitan, shojin ryori cuisine in Japan or even falafel.
Don't ask why we were having Christmas Pudding tonight, but as the burning alcohol drifted over the side of the plate and onto the table cloth, I started to think about the irony having asked this yesterday, yet not implemented it...
January 11, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Don't ask why we were having Christmas Pudding tonight, but as the burning alcohol drifted over the side of the plate and onto the table cloth, I started to think about the irony having asked this yesterday, yet not implemented it...