We Don't Use Gavels
@wedontusegavels.substack.com
A newbie lawyer's guide to the random side of the UK's legal systems. Silly statues, curious cases & more. A blog by @aburrell66.bsky.social. Subscribe on Substack: wedontusegavels.substack.com
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We Don't Use Gavels | Substack
They say America is the home of weird and wacky laws: well, the UK has plenty of its own!
Join us as we explore the random side of the UK's legal systems: from silly statutes to curious cases, crazy ...
wedontusegavels.substack.com
Welcome to We Don't Use Gavels: a legal blog about some of the UK’s silliest statutes, most curious cases, craziest conventions and everything in between. Subscribe on Substack here: wedontusegavels.substack.com
Judges shouldn't mouth off about the parties whilst unmuted on Zoom - C (A Child) [2020] EWCA Civ 987
Judges shouldn't mouth off about the parties whilst unmuted on Zoom.
A High Court judge was caught with a hot microphone during a break in a hearing. She refused to excuse herself, with disastrous consequences.
open.substack.com
June 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Judges shouldn't mouth off about the parties whilst unmuted on Zoom - C (A Child) [2020] EWCA Civ 987
The UK ratified a 50-year-old treaty that bans jaywalking to avoid a no-deal Brexit - 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, art 20(6)(b)(i)-(ii)
The UK ratified a 50-year-old treaty that bans jaywalking to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
Ministers were desperate to protect motorists travelling abroad after Brexit. But they told the UN they wouldn't agree to all of this 1960s treaty.
open.substack.com
June 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The UK ratified a 50-year-old treaty that bans jaywalking to avoid a no-deal Brexit - 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, art 20(6)(b)(i)-(ii)
You need permission to fly the EU flag, but not a flag identical to it - SI 2021/617, reg 4.
You need permission to fly the EU flag, but not a flag identical to it.
This legal loophole stumped the Mayor of London's office but not the Twitter hivemind. Have we found the UK's most pointless law?
open.substack.com
February 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
You need permission to fly the EU flag, but not a flag identical to it - SI 2021/617, reg 4.
An Italian motorbike company sued when Geri quit the Spice Girls, and won - Spice Girls Ltd v Aprilia World Service BV [2002] EWCA Civ 15
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
An Italian motorbike company sued when Geri quit the Spice Girls - and won.
Aprilia really really wanted to sponsor the Spiceworld tour. But when Geri quit, the band ended up with a seven-figure legal bill.
open.substack.com
February 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
An Italian motorbike company sued when Geri quit the Spice Girls, and won - Spice Girls Ltd v Aprilia World Service BV [2002] EWCA Civ 15
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
No, you can't be sued by a dog - Moosun v HSBC Bank plc [2015] EWHC 3308 (Ch)
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
No, you can't be sued by a dog.
Goldie and Diamond may be very good boys, but when their owner sued her bank on their behalf, the judge thought she was barking.
open.substack.com
January 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
No, you can't be sued by a dog - Moosun v HSBC Bank plc [2015] EWHC 3308 (Ch)
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
You don't pay VAT on a pet rabbit because the Government thinks you might eat it - HMRC VAT Notice 701/15.
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
You don't pay VAT on a pet rabbit because the Government thinks you might eat it.
Plus: why Greggs sells its sausage rolls in paper bags, and why you'll rarely see a chocolate smile on a gingerbread man.
open.substack.com
January 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
You don't pay VAT on a pet rabbit because the Government thinks you might eat it - HMRC VAT Notice 701/15.
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
open.substack.com/pub/wedontus...
Welcome to We Don't Use Gavels: a legal blog about some of the UK’s silliest statutes, most curious cases, craziest conventions and everything in between. Subscribe on Substack here: wedontusegavels.substack.com
We Don't Use Gavels | Substack
They say America is the home of weird and wacky laws: well, the UK has plenty of its own!
Join us as we explore the random side of the UK's legal systems: from silly statutes to curious cases, crazy ...
wedontusegavels.substack.com
January 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Welcome to We Don't Use Gavels: a legal blog about some of the UK’s silliest statutes, most curious cases, craziest conventions and everything in between. Subscribe on Substack here: wedontusegavels.substack.com