Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 1d

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 · 2d

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 · 6d

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 · 6d

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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Reposted by Russell Sandberg

National Secular Society @natsecsoc.bsky.social · 9d

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 · 8d

This is an important read ⬇️

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 9d

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

Reposted by Russell Sandberg

Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 19d

-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 · 19d

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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Reposted by Russell Sandberg

Terry-Lee Marttinen @tlmarttinen.bsky.social · 21d

Human rights principles should be taught early in schools.

Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 21d

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 · 21d

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 · 21d

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 · 21d

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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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 22d

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 · 22d

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 · 22d

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 · 22d

What do you mean?

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 22d

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.

Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 23d

This underscores the need for marriage law reform in England and Wales where only religious and civil ceremonies can be legally recognised.

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 23d

It's official: 15% of all marriages in Northern Ireland last year were humanist marriages. Northern Ireland has become a trailblazer for humanist marriages. These numbers should inspire change at last in England & Wales, where legal recognition is still lacking!

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Reposted by Russell Sandberg

Humanists UK @humanists.uk · 23d

Very worrying for all supporters of a tolerant society to see the London rally this weekend. Besides the the many violent incidents recorded, there were so many blatantly racist signs and Christian nationalist slogans in the crowds. 🧵

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 26d

Delighted to become a regular columnist for The Independent Celebrant, the magazine from the Association of Independent Celebrants - here’s my column from the summer issue; all future columns will be exclusive to the magazine.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 27d

Fascinating new issue of Doctor Who Magazine focusing on Jodie Whittaker. Haven’t had the chance yet to read her lengthy interview but great insightful interviews with @chrischibnall.bsky.social and really interesting chats with writers who have worked with her on other shows and how they see DW.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 28d

www.routledge.com/Legal-Histor...

Legal History in the Curriculum: Comparative Perspectives, Critical Approaches and Future Directions

As legal education faces fresh challenges and opportunities, and a growing literature calls for subversive new approaches, this book engages with vital questions about the place of history in the law ...

www.routledge.com

Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 28d

At the end of time, a professor gives his final law lecture and reflects upon how legal history can be taught.

A pleasure to write the conclusion to this great volume launched yesterday. Something a bit different drawing upon the excellent chapters in this must read book.

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 29d

www.routledge.com/Legal-Histor...

Legal History in the Curriculum: Comparative Perspectives, Critical Approaches and Future Directions

As legal education faces fresh challenges and opportunities, and a growing literature calls for subversive new approaches, this book engages with vital questions about the place of history in the law ...

www.routledge.com

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · 29d

A delight to attend and speak of the book launch of this awesome volume. It shows various ways in which law students can be introduced to legal history. A great addition to our book series. Congratulations to @carolinederry.bsky.social and Carol Howells and their contributors!

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · Sep 8

On wedding law reform see my book and briefing at: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/religion-and... (3/3)

Religion and Marriage Law

Religion and Marriage Law - The Need for Reform; Successive governments have made progressive, but ad hoc reforms to marriage law in Britain. This book provides the first accessible guide to how conte...

bristoluniversitypress.co.uk

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Russell Sandberg @sandbergrlaw.bsky.social · Sep 8

On which note, it’s excellent news that @alexdaviesjones.bsky.social is continuing in her role. Not only is she a Cardiff law graduate but also her answers to questions on wedding law reform have also been instructive. (2/3)

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