Stefan Theil
@stheil.bsky.social
Public law, human rights, & constitutions at Cambridge, Fellow of Sidney Sussex College: www.law.cam.ac.uk/people/academic/s-theil/6578
Current research on free expression and doctrinal methods. Book: Towards the Environmental Minimum.
Current research on free expression and doctrinal methods. Book: Towards the Environmental Minimum.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Feel like I'm going mad. The Budget's 'headroom' is based on frankly irresponsible and wildly optimistic claims about what Labour will do in the final year of the forecast, and on ignoring a bunch of upward pressures on spending, and the claim is that she was being exaggeratedly *pessimistic*?
Suggestion Rachel Reeves exaggerated fiscal pressures is absurd
Chancellor was instead far too optimistic about public finances and government’s ability to secure cuts
www.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Feel like I'm going mad. The Budget's 'headroom' is based on frankly irresponsible and wildly optimistic claims about what Labour will do in the final year of the forecast, and on ignoring a bunch of upward pressures on spending, and the claim is that she was being exaggeratedly *pessimistic*?
Reposted by Stefan Theil
In der Ukraine gibt es Korruption. No shit, Sherlock. Aber sie wird durch unabhängige Institutionen verfolgt und aufgeklärt. Das ist der Unterschied zu Russland. Da fallen die Aufklärer aus dem Fenster.
November 29, 2025 at 1:21 PM
In der Ukraine gibt es Korruption. No shit, Sherlock. Aber sie wird durch unabhängige Institutionen verfolgt und aufgeklärt. Das ist der Unterschied zu Russland. Da fallen die Aufklärer aus dem Fenster.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
It's such a bizarre framing. Labour MPs think taking 450k kids out of poverty is putting the country first! That's why they wanted it to happen! It's not because they personally benefit.
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
It's such a bizarre framing. Labour MPs think taking 450k kids out of poverty is putting the country first! That's why they wanted it to happen! It's not because they personally benefit.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
While I was offline I reviewed Baroness Hale of Richmond's newest book. It's actually very good! I'm going soft. Free link here @ www.thetimes.com/article/6dd6...
Return of the Spider Woman: Lady Hale tours Britain’s courts
With the Law on Our Side is a pleasingly old-fashioned look at our legal system by the former president of the Supreme Court
www.thetimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:09 PM
While I was offline I reviewed Baroness Hale of Richmond's newest book. It's actually very good! I'm going soft. Free link here @ www.thetimes.com/article/6dd6...
Reposted by Stefan Theil
And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
And honestly I don't give a fuck if it's popular or not. It's going to make a lot of kids' lives better. That's the point of government. Not an opinion poll.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
When it comes to modern war, Ireland is a high-value target: its waters on the western fringe of Europe contain three-quarters of all undersea cables in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, is unprotected and unprepared.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
November 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
When it comes to modern war, Ireland is a high-value target: its waters on the western fringe of Europe contain three-quarters of all undersea cables in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, is unprotected and unprepared.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
BBC News - Farage's racism denials are dishonest, says ex-classmate
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nigel Farage's racism denials are dishonest, says ex-classmate
Peter Ettedgui tells the BBC Nigel Farage targeted antisemitic abuse at him when they were teenagers.
www.bbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM
BBC News - Farage's racism denials are dishonest, says ex-classmate
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Stefan Theil
An interesting tax factoid on the UK - rendered somewhat less impactful by the fact that the top 10 percent of earners do not rely on their income nearly as much as the average and lower earners. Capital income and leverageable assets is where it's at for the middle and upper income brackets. 1/2
If I asked you which country has the most progressive tax system in the developed world — where high earners hand over an especially large share of their income relative to the average worker — what would your answer be?
The answer is in fact Britain. on.ft.com/4a5jIFc
The answer is in fact Britain. on.ft.com/4a5jIFc
November 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
An interesting tax factoid on the UK - rendered somewhat less impactful by the fact that the top 10 percent of earners do not rely on their income nearly as much as the average and lower earners. Capital income and leverageable assets is where it's at for the middle and upper income brackets. 1/2
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Distressing for the victims, depressing for everyone.
What did the Professor of *moral philosophy* not understand?
archive.is/2025.11.19-1...
What did the Professor of *moral philosophy* not understand?
archive.is/2025.11.19-1...
archive.is
November 20, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Distressing for the victims, depressing for everyone.
What did the Professor of *moral philosophy* not understand?
archive.is/2025.11.19-1...
What did the Professor of *moral philosophy* not understand?
archive.is/2025.11.19-1...
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Good post on the available space for reforming article 8 cases in domestic law, featuring an expert demolition of some dubious claims about family life in the Wolfson Report
Kirsty Hughes: Immigration and proposals to amend Article 8 ECHR ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/11/19/k...
Kirsty Hughes: Immigration and proposals to amend Article 8 ECHR
Backlash against the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) is heavily driven by immigration and is often a direct reaction to it. This is not a new phenomen…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Good post on the available space for reforming article 8 cases in domestic law, featuring an expert demolition of some dubious claims about family life in the Wolfson Report
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Thank you to @alangreene.bsky.social for hosting me and @colinmurray.bsky.social on the new Counter Terrorism podcast to talk about the proscription of Palestine Action. It was great to have this chat. The hearings for the full judicial review of the proscription take place on 25-27 November.
I recorded a podcast with @daniellalock.bsky.social and @colinmurray.bsky.social in which we discuss decision to ban #PalestineAction. There is some really excellent stuff in here-- Daniella and Colin are on top of their briefs.
Please do check it out and share widely!
youtu.be/tKN4Wk2SEyQ?...
Please do check it out and share widely!
youtu.be/tKN4Wk2SEyQ?...
Banning Palestine Action: Legal Experts Explain the Implications for UK Democracy
YouTube video by Dr Alan Greene
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Thank you to @alangreene.bsky.social for hosting me and @colinmurray.bsky.social on the new Counter Terrorism podcast to talk about the proscription of Palestine Action. It was great to have this chat. The hearings for the full judicial review of the proscription take place on 25-27 November.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Actively making our country worse for the sake of some performative cruelty is the guiding light of UK immigration policy.
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Actively making our country worse for the sake of some performative cruelty is the guiding light of UK immigration policy.
Good stuff here from the fastest gun in UK public law. The only point I would add is that the proposals regarding Art. 8 are unlikely to present much difficulty with the ECHR on the definition of family, because Strasbourg is already incredibly permissive of state policy on migrant. 1/2
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
Proposals for radical reform of the UK’s asylum system raise a number of legal and constitutional issues, with respect both to the European Convention on Human Rights and the domestic principle of …
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Good stuff here from the fastest gun in UK public law. The only point I would add is that the proposals regarding Art. 8 are unlikely to present much difficulty with the ECHR on the definition of family, because Strasbourg is already incredibly permissive of state policy on migrant. 1/2
Great analysis by Mark. A minor point: if the common law indeed holds this potential (and judges harness it) then leaving the ECHR will disappoint HRA skeptics. An expansion of pre-HRA common law rights, and greater interpretive surgery based on legality is hardly what they hope to accomplish. 1/2
New post
In a recent lecture, Lord Briggs places renewed emphasis on the common law’s ability to protect human rights, and argues that we should not doubt its capaity to step in if the UK were to withdraw from the ECHR. Is such optimism well-founded?
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/14/m...
In a recent lecture, Lord Briggs places renewed emphasis on the common law’s ability to protect human rights, and argues that we should not doubt its capaity to step in if the UK were to withdraw from the ECHR. Is such optimism well-founded?
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/14/m...
Misplaced optimism? Lord Briggs on the common law’s capacity to protect human rights in the event of ECHR withdrawal
In a recent lecture, Supreme Court Justice Lord Briggs places renewed emphasis on the common law’s ability to protect human rights, and argues that we should not doubt its capaity to step in if the…
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Great analysis by Mark. A minor point: if the common law indeed holds this potential (and judges harness it) then leaving the ECHR will disappoint HRA skeptics. An expansion of pre-HRA common law rights, and greater interpretive surgery based on legality is hardly what they hope to accomplish. 1/2
Reposted by Stefan Theil
The Berlin Wall, which divided Berlin and Europe for 28 years, fell on 9 November 1989.
November 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The Berlin Wall, which divided Berlin and Europe for 28 years, fell on 9 November 1989.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Removal from the Roll of Peerage might deprive someone of the precedence and forms of address attaching to a peerage, but legally that person is still a peer. And removal from the roll does not stop a prince being a prince.
Prince Andrew CAN renounce his peerage without an Act of Parliament
Reports have suggested there is no easy way to remove or renounce the title of Duke of York - but a little-known mechanism could effectively do so easily and immediately
nigelfletcher.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Removal from the Roll of Peerage might deprive someone of the precedence and forms of address attaching to a peerage, but legally that person is still a peer. And removal from the roll does not stop a prince being a prince.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Do you know anybody still on "X"?
Please tell them to delete their account. I am really not a harcore lefty, but this stuff is just not ok.
/1
Please tell them to delete their account. I am really not a harcore lefty, but this stuff is just not ok.
/1
October 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Do you know anybody still on "X"?
Please tell them to delete their account. I am really not a harcore lefty, but this stuff is just not ok.
/1
Please tell them to delete their account. I am really not a harcore lefty, but this stuff is just not ok.
/1
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Lord Sales appointed as the next Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court
supremecourt.uk/news/lord-sa...
supremecourt.uk/news/lord-sa...
Lord Sales appointed as the next Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court - UK Supreme Court
His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of the Right Hon Lord Sales as Deputy President of the Supreme Court. The King made the appointment on the advice of the Prime Minister and Lord Chanc...
supremecourt.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Lord Sales appointed as the next Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court
supremecourt.uk/news/lord-sa...
supremecourt.uk/news/lord-sa...
Please ciruclate: Looking for 1-2 RAs for a project on domestic court impact on outcomes at the ECtHR (200h total until end of Feb). Essential: undergraduate degree in law (or related subject) and resident in UK - suitable for grad students. Deadline: 31 October: www.law.cam.ac.uk/press/jobs/2...
Research Assistants
Dr Stefan Theil is looking for up to two research assistants to help with a project on the impact of UK court decisions on the ECHR.
www.law.cam.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Please ciruclate: Looking for 1-2 RAs for a project on domestic court impact on outcomes at the ECtHR (200h total until end of Feb). Essential: undergraduate degree in law (or related subject) and resident in UK - suitable for grad students. Deadline: 31 October: www.law.cam.ac.uk/press/jobs/2...
Reposted by Stefan Theil
The very fact that MI5 - and the security services generally - are accountable to our domestic courts flows from the ECHR decision of Malone.
One of many ways that Convention has benefitted our legal order.
One of many ways that Convention has benefitted our legal order.
October 20, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The very fact that MI5 - and the security services generally - are accountable to our domestic courts flows from the ECHR decision of Malone.
One of many ways that Convention has benefitted our legal order.
One of many ways that Convention has benefitted our legal order.
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Yesterday, casssunstein.bsky.social
(hls.harvard.edu) delivered a captivating lecture on ‘Beyond Kant and Bentham: A Bill of Rights for Nonhuman Animals’ at cambridgelaw.bsky.social for our Centre's Annual Animal Rights Law Lecture. (1/4)
(hls.harvard.edu) delivered a captivating lecture on ‘Beyond Kant and Bentham: A Bill of Rights for Nonhuman Animals’ at cambridgelaw.bsky.social for our Centre's Annual Animal Rights Law Lecture. (1/4)
October 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Yesterday, casssunstein.bsky.social
(hls.harvard.edu) delivered a captivating lecture on ‘Beyond Kant and Bentham: A Bill of Rights for Nonhuman Animals’ at cambridgelaw.bsky.social for our Centre's Annual Animal Rights Law Lecture. (1/4)
(hls.harvard.edu) delivered a captivating lecture on ‘Beyond Kant and Bentham: A Bill of Rights for Nonhuman Animals’ at cambridgelaw.bsky.social for our Centre's Annual Animal Rights Law Lecture. (1/4)
Reposted by Stefan Theil
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
October 15, 2025 at 12:35 PM
There is no need for a moral panic about the UK's welfare system.
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Far from perfect but recent discourse is nuts
Spending is controlled, not spiralling
Worklessness is near record lows
My column www.ft.com/content/ee67...
Reposted by Stefan Theil
Really enjoyed this piece.
"Lawyers and academics therefore find themselves in the difficult position of ... trying to reason people away from a view or belief they never reasoned themselves into to begin with. We are bringing facts to a vibes fight."
"Lawyers and academics therefore find themselves in the difficult position of ... trying to reason people away from a view or belief they never reasoned themselves into to begin with. We are bringing facts to a vibes fight."
Alan Greene: Bringing facts to a vibes fight: Kayfabe and debates on the UK and the ECHR ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/10/09/a...
Alan Greene: Bringing facts to a vibes fight: Kayfabe and debates on the UK and the ECHR
It is now 25 years since the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) entered into force and far from this endurance cementing its legitimacy, the judicial protection of human rights in the UK finds itself in t…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Really enjoyed this piece.
"Lawyers and academics therefore find themselves in the difficult position of ... trying to reason people away from a view or belief they never reasoned themselves into to begin with. We are bringing facts to a vibes fight."
"Lawyers and academics therefore find themselves in the difficult position of ... trying to reason people away from a view or belief they never reasoned themselves into to begin with. We are bringing facts to a vibes fight."