Hannah Gomersall

A bird's-eye view of a former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp showing a wide dirt pathway flanked by parallel rows of barbed-wire fences. Groups of visitors walk along the path, surrounded by the remnants of brick structures and barracks, now reduced to foundations. Green grass contrasts with the somber history of the site, as the path leads toward a guard tower in the distance.

Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.

'Without the FDAC... I’d be dead': On the fringes at Labour in Liverpool Away from the main stage, Labour ministers and MPs attending the party conference heard about the benefits of problem-solving courts, and the plight of claimants left high and dry by bulk litigation firms.

Thanks to the Law Gazette for covering our @soclablaw.bsky.social fringe event on Trauma and the courts. Brings home how powerful it is for a parent to be able to talk about their lowest, hardest, life-defining moments directly to ministers.

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/w...

In Liverpool tomorrow? Come to our “Trauma on Trial” event discussing a trauma informed approach to family and criminal justice chaired by @thebarcouncil.bsky.social featuring @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social Sarah Sackman MP, Jake Richards MP, @cjinnovation.bsky.social @revdoors.bsky.social

Cost of place in children’s care homes in England hits almost £320,000 a year Private firms’ profits soar, watchdog says, as prices nearly double in five years

New NAO report finds the cost of a place in a children's care home has nearly doubled in 5 years.

The biggest private providers make average annual profits of 22.6%, many backed by private equity.

And many children aren't getting what they need, placed far from home, in unlawful settings

Posting an old Harry Haddock pic in tribute to Grimsby Town FC’s spectacular 13 penalty shoot out win against ManU this evening. Yes Town. #GTFC

The first time as tragedy, the second as farce

Labour Home has published my thoughts on Braverman’s plans (probably also Farage’s plans) to quit the ECHR. They won’t work and will harm, not help, the UK’s ability to enforce its immigration policy (as well as trashing other cooperation with our neighbours). www.labourhome.co.uk/the_first_ti...

The first time as tragedy, the second as farce Suella Braverman's plans for leaving the ECHR display the same arrogant and reckless disregard for the consequences - particularly in Ireland - as did the plans of Brexiters for leaving the EU.

In which I am not impressed by Suella Braverman’s plans for leaving the ECHR. open.substack.com/pub/georgepe...

Making a case for Human Rights Law: a response to Conor Casey’s “Disagreeing over Human Rights Law” Conor Casey’s article makes an important point that supporters of the ECHR need to bear in mind when trying to persuade others that the UK should remain party to it.

Some thoughts on how to - and how not to - persuade people that leaving the ECHR would be wrong (in response to an article by Conor Casey). open.substack.com/pub/georgepe...

Clapton Admits Abusing Wife LONDON (AP) _ Rock legend Eric Clapton in a tell-all interview published Sunday was quoted as saying he was so addicted to alcohol and heroin in the 1970s that he raped his wife _ part of a life witho...

As well as the racism and conspiracy spreading, seems he also casually admitted to sexually abusing his wife web.archive.org/web/20210614... Thoroughly rotten man.

I see Honest Bob Jenrick has a new little video attacking barristers for representing unpopular clients.

Once again for those at the back:

Lawyers are not their clients.

Which is how, when Jenrick broke the law in government, he had lawyers to defend him.

Free speech does not extend to incitement of violence. If you engage/encourage others and plan fraud, a terrorist attack, a hitman to murder someone - what you SAY is absolutely a crime and nobody would suggest otherwise. Why is this any different?

Really thoughtful and considered discussion about the limited and difficult options family courts are faced with. Sensitively done and well informed.

For two men who have professed such hostility towards taking the knee, they are surprisingly happy to do it for Putin, in the Oval Office, in full view of the world’s media.

🔴 Mentorship Scheme 2025🔴

Calling all future Lawyers!

Applications open until midnight 28th February!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Is it because a significant category of children go straight to CP in addition to the small 7% progressing from CIN? So maybe this is telling us of a clear initial distinction between CP & CIN categories (rather than the worst of the long rumbling we see ending up in court?) This is just a guess….

Legal aid cuts deny parents their human rights, says ex-supreme court president Exclusive: David Neuberger believes lack of access to state-funded lawyers for family disputes is ‘wrong in principle’

Legal aid cuts deny parents their human rights, says Lord Neuberger www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jan...

This is very welcome news. We are frequently seeing placements that cost over £8,000 per week which do no more than “contain” a young person at risk with poorly paid shift carers. We need a National strategy & state investment (which will save LAs money & improve outcomes in the long run).

This is very welcome.

Anyone remotely interested in this issue should read in full - it’s a real page turner - Sir Andrew McFarlane’s excoriating judgment in this case. www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH....

If I had to pick one reason why the last government deserved to lose power, this was it.

British Legal Reform: An Agenda for Change, is OUT now, available to purchase:

policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/british-legal-…

Who already has their copy? 🙋‍♀️