Jess O'Thomson
@jessothomson.co.uk
Legal researcher, writer, campaigner | Trans Rights Lead @ Good Law Project | Head of Policy @ Trans+ Solidarity Alliance | PhD student @ University of Leeds
Views my own.
[email protected]
They/them
Views my own.
[email protected]
They/them
Pinned
Today is Trans Day of Remembrance.
Today we remember and grieve all those we have lost. But we also commit – collectively – to fighting for those of us who are left. There will be hope as long as we continue to stand together.
https://goodlaw.social/n1jn
Today we remember and grieve all those we have lost. But we also commit – collectively – to fighting for those of us who are left. There will be hope as long as we continue to stand together.
https://goodlaw.social/n1jn
goodlaw.social
I wrote something reflecting on today.
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
I wrote this piece about Trudi Warner and why juries are an important part of our constitution in April last year. I think particularly worth reading today.
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
High Court slaps down ‘fanciful’ prosecution of Trudi Warner | Good Law Project
Judge rules that the solicitor general ‘mischaracterised’ the evidence when he charged Warner with contempt of court for holding up a placard.
goodlawproject.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I wrote this piece about Trudi Warner and why juries are an important part of our constitution in April last year. I think particularly worth reading today.
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
I know that people are incapable of self governance because of their inability to move forwards to fill the lift in Covent Garden station.
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I know that people are incapable of self governance because of their inability to move forwards to fill the lift in Covent Garden station.
Something new for the boilerplate?
Additionally, OpenAI argues its not liable because Raine, by using ChatGPT for self-harm, broke its terms of service
November 26, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Something new for the boilerplate?
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
Best understood, Labour's attack on juries, as a further lurch towards authoritarianism. Who, now, will stand in the way of a State that wants to imprison its opponents?
November 26, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Best understood, Labour's attack on juries, as a further lurch towards authoritarianism. Who, now, will stand in the way of a State that wants to imprison its opponents?
I wrote this piece about Trudi Warner and why juries are an important part of our constitution in April last year. I think particularly worth reading today.
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
High Court slaps down ‘fanciful’ prosecution of Trudi Warner | Good Law Project
Judge rules that the solicitor general ‘mischaracterised’ the evidence when he charged Warner with contempt of court for holding up a placard.
goodlawproject.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I wrote this piece about Trudi Warner and why juries are an important part of our constitution in April last year. I think particularly worth reading today.
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
goodlawproject.org/high-court-s...
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
In essence: juries are important for what decisions they prevent others from making.
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In essence: juries are important for what decisions they prevent others from making.
It remains my recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in the law or the criminal justice system to spend a couple of days sat in your local magistrates court and watch what goes on. I would be surprised if it didn't affect your views.
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
It remains my recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in the law or the criminal justice system to spend a couple of days sat in your local magistrates court and watch what goes on. I would be surprised if it didn't affect your views.
Perhaps naive and nostalgic of me but – was there not a point in the last decade or so when one would have expected (at least within the legal profession and the judiciary) – a far bolder defence of the rule of law?
November 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Perhaps naive and nostalgic of me but – was there not a point in the last decade or so when one would have expected (at least within the legal profession and the judiciary) – a far bolder defence of the rule of law?
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
And anyone who has watched magistrates nod-along with prosecution evidence in the mags courts will know exactly what I mean.
November 25, 2025 at 7:31 PM
And anyone who has watched magistrates nod-along with prosecution evidence in the mags courts will know exactly what I mean.
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
November 25, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Juries are not perfect.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Many of the worst miscarriages of justice have followed jury trials.
But the merit of juries is not so much the power they have, but the power they prevent others from having.
They mean a judge cannot just nod-along with prosecution evidence and give a guilty verdict.
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
The government’s decision to halve the time limit for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation is driving people into homelessness and exploitation, according to migrant rights campaigners and homelessness charities
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
New asylum policies making homeless refugees “targets for the far right”
Labour’s abrupt return to the 28-day move-on period is pushing vulnerable people into rough sleeping and exposing them to fraud and abuse.
national.thelead.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The government’s decision to halve the time limit for refugees to leave Home Office accommodation is driving people into homelessness and exploitation, according to migrant rights campaigners and homelessness charities
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
By me, for @theleaduk.bsky.social national.thelead.uk/p/new-asylum...
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
I think it really would be helpful if there was a public explanation for this unusual decision, in this highly charged and important case. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Removal of judge in Palestine Action ban legal challenge ‘deeply concerning’
Unusual last-minute change means panel of three will now hear case rather than Mr Justice Chamberlain
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I think it really would be helpful if there was a public explanation for this unusual decision, in this highly charged and important case. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Juries are one of our most important checks on State power, and I am very seriously concerned about any proposal to remove the right to them. This is fundamentally authoritarian.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
Exclusive: Courts minister says change needed to stop criminals opting for juries to delay cases, sometimes by years, and clear huge backlog
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Juries are one of our most important checks on State power, and I am very seriously concerned about any proposal to remove the right to them. This is fundamentally authoritarian.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Today I have been subjected to a continual, very high pitched alarm that I am unable to stop, and it is driving me more than slightly insane.
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Today I have been subjected to a continual, very high pitched alarm that I am unable to stop, and it is driving me more than slightly insane.
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
Nigel Farage isn’t the only one trying to silence critics with legal threats. If you’re punching up at power, we’re on your side:
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
Standing up for speaking out | Good Law Project
Farage isn’t the only one trying to silence critics with legal threats. If you’re punching up at power, we’re on your side.
goodlaw.social
November 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Nigel Farage isn’t the only one trying to silence critics with legal threats. If you’re punching up at power, we’re on your side:
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
https://goodlaw.social/el2g
Graham Linehan has been found guilty of criminal damage following his attack on a young trans person.
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Graham Linehan cleared of harassment but guilty of criminal damage to trans activist's phone
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been found guilty of criminal damage to the phone of a trans activist but not guilty of harassment.
news.sky.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Graham Linehan has been found guilty of criminal damage following his attack on a young trans person.
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I don't actually care whether Farage is personally racist. I care whether he continues to promote racist ideas and policies. Which he does. What he truly believes in his heart is an irrelevance to me.
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I don't actually care whether Farage is personally racist. I care whether he continues to promote racist ideas and policies. Which he does. What he truly believes in his heart is an irrelevance to me.
It was my initial reading and clearly that of a few others, but in fairness I do not believe that is the only plausible reading of what he said and I believe in remaining honest on that front.
Doesn't change my view that Streeting is a dishonest, shapeshifting toe rag who is tacking left in a cynical attempt to succeed the hapless Starmer, but I don't think, fairly read, he is saying he is searching for evidence to justify his policy choices.
Even Hilary Cass - who disgracefully called parents terrified that their trans kids would take their own lives if they were denied healthcare "shroud wavers" - didn't go so far as to call for a ban on puberty blockers.
Nothing Wes Streeting says turns out to be true.
Nothing Wes Streeting says turns out to be true.
November 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It was my initial reading and clearly that of a few others, but in fairness I do not believe that is the only plausible reading of what he said and I believe in remaining honest on that front.
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
"The former BBC director general Tim Davie misled the public in suggesting BBC news reporters had a leftwing political agenda, Good Law Project can reveal." goodlaw.social/vyyj
Tim Davie misled audience about the BBC’s supposed leftwing agenda | Good Law Project
Speaking at a book festival, the former director general suggested the BBC newsroom was full of BLM T-shirts and Kamala mugs. But that’s fake news.
goodlaw.social
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"The former BBC director general Tim Davie misled the public in suggesting BBC news reporters had a leftwing political agenda, Good Law Project can reveal." goodlaw.social/vyyj
Someone has offered a plausible alternative meaning of the Health Secretary's tweet so I have deleted my post. Apologies.
November 24, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Someone has offered a plausible alternative meaning of the Health Secretary's tweet so I have deleted my post. Apologies.
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
musk agreeing with an explicitly eugenicist post
November 24, 2025 at 12:44 AM
musk agreeing with an explicitly eugenicist post
Reposted by Jess O'Thomson
Even Hilary Cass - who disgracefully called parents terrified that their trans kids would take their own lives if they were denied healthcare "shroud wavers" - didn't go so far as to call for a ban on puberty blockers.
Nothing Wes Streeting says turns out to be true.
Nothing Wes Streeting says turns out to be true.
November 24, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Even Hilary Cass - who disgracefully called parents terrified that their trans kids would take their own lives if they were denied healthcare "shroud wavers" - didn't go so far as to call for a ban on puberty blockers.
Nothing Wes Streeting says turns out to be true.
Nothing Wes Streeting says turns out to be true.