Nostr notes by dag

A Trumped-up case of the president suing his own government? A ...

2026-04-30T11:39:21Z

A Trumped-up case of the president suing his own government?

A federal court queries whether there is really a dispute to settle when a party controls both sides

My latest, for Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/73169/trump-president-suing-own-government

“The stately pleasure-dome is essential for the safety and ...

2026-04-27T06:08:46Z

“The stately pleasure-dome is essential for the safety and security of the Kubla Khan and his family. When the stately pleasure-dome is complete, Kubla Khan and his successors will no longer need to venture beyond the safety of pleasure-dome perimeter," commented a person on business from Porlock yesterday.

Starmer told the civil service to 'deliver' what he ...

2026-04-23T11:04:36Z

Starmer told the civil service to 'deliver' what he wanted

Yet he has sacked the civil servant who 'delivered' the appointment of Lord Mandelson

New by me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/73105/starmer-told-the-civil-service-to-delivernot-blockwhat-he-wanted

NEW What the Chagos deal reversal tells us about the UK’s ...

2026-04-16T11:50:32Z

NEW

What the Chagos deal reversal tells us about the UK’s diplomatic weakness

Why British government has no alternative but to accept President Trump’s change of mind

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/73040/trump-chagos-deal-reversal-uk-diplomatic-weakness

"How can we get rid of you?" The immense significance of ...

2026-04-13T10:15:51Z

"How can we get rid of you?"

The immense significance of the defeat of Orbán's illiberal political machine and methodology

By me at the Empty City blog

https://theemptycity.com/blog/2026/04/how-can-we-get-rid-of-you/

People sneer at Trump and Vance, but look how quickly they have ...

2026-04-11T16:39:26Z

People sneer at Trump and Vance, but look how quickly they have moved to negotiating with Iran the conditions for Iran's unconditional surrender.

Whenever one writes on what Trump does, someone comments that it ...

2026-04-10T18:33:35Z

Whenever one writes on what Trump does, someone comments that it is just a "distraction".

Sometimes [A] is said to be a distraction from [B], which is a distraction from [C], and so on.

But no need to posit such a conspiracy.

The Trump administration is capable of being crap at everything at once.

Thank you Christopher.

2026-04-10T17:10:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…d7ct
_________________________

Thank you Christopher.

Why President Trump’s threat of genocide matters He may avoid ...

2026-04-09T10:34:10Z

Why President Trump’s threat of genocide matters

He may avoid immediate constitutional and legal sanctions, but this threat should not be forgotten

New by me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/72980/iran-why-trump-genocide-threat-matters

NEW In a meaningful way, Meta had already legally lost the social ...

2026-04-03T12:46:08Z

NEW

In a meaningful way, Meta had already legally lost the social media anxiety case before the jury trial even began

By me at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/technology/internet/72920/kaley-gm-trial-meta-google-serious-problem

A failed military police investigation? The Afghan war crimes ...

2026-04-02T07:06:24Z

A failed military police investigation?

The Afghan war crimes inquiry continues to throw light on alleged crimes by UK special forces and their possible cover-up

By me at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/72897/uk-afghan-war-crimes-inquiry-failed-military-police-investigation

Dear USA Policing and law enforcement losing the confidence of ...

2026-01-25T22:22:04Z

Dear USA

Policing and law enforcement losing the confidence of the community does not end well.

Yours,
Great Britain and Northern Ireland

NEW Why the Hillsborough law campaigners are right to be resolute ...

2026-01-23T12:43:25Z

NEW

Why the Hillsborough law campaigners are right to be resolute

The attempts to water down the duty of candour should be resisted

Me at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/72203/why-the-hillsborough-law-campaigners-are-right-to-be-resolute

NEW “…neither rhyme nor reason.” We are currently in a ...

2026-01-20T09:40:02Z

NEW

“…neither rhyme nor reason.”

We are currently in a situation where precedents and norms and laws and rules and theories offer no assistance.

By me.

Substack: https://emptycity.substack.com/p/neither-rhyme-nor-reason

Personal blog: https://davidallengreen.com/2026/01/neither-rhyme-nor-reason-how-are-currently-in-a-situation-where-precedents-and-norms-and-and-laws-and-rules-and-theories-offer-no-assistance/

NEW The new ICE Age Me at Prospect on the implications of the ...

2026-01-19T12:23:32Z

NEW

The new ICE Age

Me at Prospect on the implications of the transition to lawlessness as general policy

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/72155/trump-new-ice-age

Then: constitutional law should be boring, not exciting. Now: ...

2026-01-15T20:55:35Z

Then: constitutional law should be boring, not exciting.

Now: constitutional law should be boring, not terrifying.

Notes on gangster states Why legitimacy matters when the state ...

2026-01-12T10:43:05Z

Notes on gangster states

Why legitimacy matters when the state has a monopoly on coercive and lethal force

New, by me

Substack
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/notes-on-gangster-states

Personal blog
https://davidallengreen.com/2026/01/notes-on-gangster-states-why-legitimacy-matters-when-the-state-has-a-monopoly-on-coercive-and-lethal-force/

Great. Now someone is going to blow Boudica's trumpet, and ...

2026-01-07T09:56:38Z

Great.

Now someone is going to blow Boudica's trumpet, and who knows what will then happen.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7jvj8d39eo

NEW But what about international law? What happens to an ...

2026-01-06T11:03:19Z

NEW

But what about international law?

What happens to an international legal order when a superpower goes rogue

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/but-what-about-international-law

Personal Blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2026/01/but-what-about-international-law/

NEW Why can a politician remove citizenship with little or no ...

2026-01-02T11:58:48Z

NEW

Why can a politician remove citizenship with little or no judicial consideration?

The home secretary has brutal, wide-ranging powers to deprive British citizens of this most basic of rights

By me at Prospect, on Begum and Abd el-Fattah

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/72006/a-politician-can-remove-citizenship-with-little-judicial-consideration

Ordered my first new book via Bookstore and not Amazon and ...

2026-01-01T17:38:43Z

Ordered my first new book via Bookstore and not Amazon and thereby started to fulfil one new year's resolution. Yes, slower and P&P but independent local bookshops are a public good.

NEW When should social media posts have legal consequences? ...

2025-12-31T13:33:47Z

NEW

When should social media posts have legal consequences?

Comparing and contrasting the cases of Lucy Connolly and Alaa Abd El-Fattah

By me, at New Statesman

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/society/2025/12/when-should-social-media-posts-have-legal-consequences

NEW Donald Trump v the British Broadcasting Corporation: the ...

2025-12-19T12:24:54Z

NEW

Donald Trump v the British Broadcasting Corporation: the battle begins

The president filed a claim this week more about exerting leverage than legal niceties

By me, at Prospect Magazine

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/71916/donald-trump-v-bbc-battle-begins

NEW The good, the bad and the ugly of ‘rebalancing’ the ECHR ...

2025-12-12T12:37:59Z

NEW

The good, the bad and the ugly of ‘rebalancing’ the ECHR

Human rights law should be kept under review, but that does not mean it should be weakened

My latest post for Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/71813/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-rebalancing-the-echr

Generally: being opposed to proscription would not constitute an ...

2025-12-01T19:36:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…7cp9
_________________________

Generally: being opposed to proscription would not constitute an offence under the Terrorism Act.

Given there is an entire information-economy between politicians, ...

2025-12-01T19:33:48Z

Given there is an entire information-economy between politicians, advisers, officials and the media of intentional pre-Budget leaks, it is telling about our political culture that the only resignation is when someone leaks it unintentionally.

Emeritus Prof Christopher May - @npub12pw…zvxn - is one of the ...

2025-11-30T12:55:18Z

Emeritus Prof Christopher May - Emeritus Prof Christopher May (npub12pw…zvxn) - is one of the best follows on here and adorns any timeline - lots of useful stuff about policy and idiosyncratic stuff about music.

He needs a few more followers to achieve some Mastodon goal.

If you like my stuff, follow him.

Trump v the BBC cont'd: an odd and desperate letter from the ...

2025-11-22T14:55:12Z

Trump v the BBC cont'd: an odd and desperate letter from the US media regulator

Or: why you should have your evidence in place before you threaten a law suit

A new post by me:

Substack
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/trump-v-the-bbc-contd-an-odd-and

Personal blog
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/11/trump-v-the-bbc-contd-an-odd-and-desperate-letter-from-the-us-media-regulator/

Tinkering with ECHR definitions will not help the government The ...

2025-11-21T12:24:47Z

Tinkering with ECHR definitions will not help the government

The proposed changes to Articles 3 and 8 in asylum cases will achieve little or nothing

By me, at New Statesman

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/11/tinkering-with-echr-definitions-will-not-help-the-government

NEW BY ME Why the BBC is right not to pay damages to Trump By ...

2025-11-14T17:39:00Z

NEW BY ME

Why the BBC is right not to pay damages to Trump

By apologising, the broadcaster has taken the sting out of Trump’s excessive attack

At New Statesman

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/11/the-bbc-is-right-not-to-pay-damages-to-trump

NEW Performative Litigation Letters How certain lawyer letters ...

2025-11-13T10:06:04Z

NEW

Performative Litigation Letters

How certain lawyer letters are intended for news and social media consumption

By me, on the legal threats of Truss and now Trump

https://emptycity.substack.com/p/performative-litigation-letters

Non-Substack link to follow later

Thank you, as always.

2025-11-11T14:20:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…e3a7
_________________________

Thank you, as always.

NEW A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC ...

2025-11-11T13:25:32Z

NEW

A close look at Trump's $1 billion claim against the BBC

The litigation letter is weak, but his underlying practical position is not weak

By me:

(Substack)
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/a-close-look-at-trumps-1-billion

(Personal blog)
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/11/a-close-look-at-trumps-1-billion-claim-against-the-bbc/

You did not read the post you are commenting on? It was a good ...

2025-10-28T15:56:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…6guy
_________________________

You did not read the post you are commenting on? It was a good film *because* of its ending.

One observation on the Louvre robbery, having been there a couple ...

2025-10-23T05:34:58Z

One observation on the Louvre robbery, having been there a couple of time recently.

There is immense 'security theatre' for visitors waiting to get in.

And what has happened affirms the general rule: the greater the 'security theatre' the weaker the actual security.

In the United States the President is deliberately dismantling ...

2025-10-22T21:13:10Z

In the United States the President is deliberately dismantling the White House, while in the United Kingdom we are doing nothing to stop the Palace of Westminster from falling apart.

Much the same can be said of our respective constitutions.

If Orwell's works had not already been over-plundered to ...

2025-10-22T17:55:54Z

If Orwell's works had not already been over-plundered to metaphorical death, it would be nice to call the increasing diversionary blame being put on Antifa as the Snowball Effect.

?

2025-10-22T17:25:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…2gxy
_________________________

?

Still 651 is still a good rule-of-thumb active following and ...

2025-10-22T17:24:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…vrz9
_________________________

Still 651 is still a good rule-of-thumb active following and makes posting here worthwhile.

I like Mastodon and I would like to carryon being active here.

Many thanks to all those who Liked - including those who felt the need to explain things to me (I know).

/ends

Of course this experiment has limitations. Some could not help ...

2025-10-22T17:23:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…w5xv
_________________________

Of course this experiment has limitations.

Some could not help themselves pointing these limitations out (I know).

Others pointed out that boosts would increase coverage (I know), that the Likes total may not be accurate because of the nature of the Fediverse (I know), and that response would be affected by other factors (I know).

This being Mastodon, such unsolicited earnest advice is freely given, even when it should be obvious the OP already knows!

Mastodon, never change.

Of course this experiment has limitations. Some could not help ...

2025-10-22T17:20:16Z

Of course this experiment has limitations.

Some could not help themselves pointing these limitations out (I know).

Others pointed out that boosts would increase coverage (I know), that the Likes total may not be accurate because of the nature of the Fediverse (I know), and that response would be affected by other factors (I know).

This being Mastodon, such unsolicited earnest advice is freely given, even when it should be obvious the OP already knows!

Mastodon, never change.

>

A couple of days ago I did an experiment on here. I asked that if ...

2025-10-22T17:16:51Z

A couple of days ago I did an experiment on here.

I asked that if anyone saw my post they would Like it. No boosts.

I came over here in one of the Twitter exoduses and I have a high following from other Twitter refugees. I wanted to see how many still engage.

Here is the result.

Of 40k nominal followers on Mastodon, the post was Liked 651 times.

651/40000

Or by 1.6% of my nominal following.

>

(Please read thread before replying.)

Mastodon, never change :-)

2025-10-20T14:28:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…q0nw
_________________________

Mastodon, never change :-)

Loving the Mastodon-style "let me explain" responses.

2025-10-20T13:54:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…up0u
_________________________

Loving the Mastodon-style "let me explain" responses.

Help please. I am trying to see how far my posts on this platform ...

2025-10-20T13:03:48Z

Help please.

I am trying to see how far my posts on this platform go.

If you see this post can you please like it.

Please do NOT boost it, as I want to see its natural coverage.

I am thinking of posting more often on here and I am just wanting to see what the current reach is like.

One problem in current politics is not being able to tell the ...

2025-10-18T12:03:28Z

One problem in current politics is not being able to tell the difference between a cultural death-knell and a cultural birth-pang.

Are these the features of an old order collapsing or a new (lack of) order beginning?

NEW Law versus politics Both the UK and the US face a choice ...

2025-10-09T11:12:36Z

NEW

Law versus politics

Both the UK and the US face a choice between unchecked executive power or a balanced constitution

By me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/71289/law-versus-politics

NEW Freedom is just another word for "a gap in the law" ...

2025-10-07T12:34:43Z

NEW

Freedom is just another word for "a gap in the law"

The Home Secretary wants to ban more things

By me

Substack
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/freedom-is-just-another-word-for

Personal blog
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/10/freedom-is-just-another-word-for-a-gap-in-the-law/

NEW Why the government was right to take PPE Medpro to court The ...

2025-10-03T11:46:16Z

NEW

Why the government was right to take PPE Medpro to court

The state should enforce its contractual rights against suppliers more often

By me at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/71218/why-the-government-was-right-to-take-ppe-medpro-to-court

NEW The Kneecap prosecution collapsed because police and ...

2025-09-29T09:01:58Z

NEW

The Kneecap prosecution collapsed because police and prosecutors did not take terrorism law seriously

Where "a technicality" hides a fundamental error

By me

Substack: https://emptycity.substack.com/p/the-kneecap-prosecution-collapsed

Personal blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/09/the-kneecap-prosecution-collapsed-because-police-and-prosecutors-did-not-take-terrorism-law-seriously/

In essence: few will be genuinely surprised that the High Court ...

2025-09-25T08:54:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…8a90
_________________________

In essence: few will be genuinely surprised that the High Court was misled - these things happen - but for the court to reject the assurances about why it was misled?

That is spicy.

NEW The Prime Minister’s extraordinary and significant ...

2025-09-25T08:45:54Z

NEW

The Prime Minister’s extraordinary and significant statement on MI5 misleading the High Court

A practical example of the judiciary and executive holding the security service to account

By me

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/the-prime-ministers-extraordinary

Personal blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/09/the-prime-ministers-extraordinary-and-significant-statement-on-mi5-misleading-the-high-court/

Pretty much my position. I will RT things other say which I think ...

2025-09-22T17:14:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…rzgg
_________________________

Pretty much my position. I will RT things other say which I think are spot on, but I am not going to use my following to amplify the noise.

My focus is on government policy, and on the weaknesses of our constitutional system. My followers are more than capable of working out for themselves what misuses an incoming illiberal government can fo when in power.

"looks likely to be struck down in full or perhaps in ...

2025-09-21T10:44:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…e7w6
_________________________

"looks likely to be struck down in full or perhaps in part"

I don't think that is likely, as the courts are generally deferent to the executive on matters of national security. That said, the challenge is not hopeless.

The government is worried that it may lose the case - yes, but that is because the government usually has a slam-dunk in such cases.

NEW The proscription of Palestine Action as a case study of ...

2025-09-21T08:59:55Z

NEW

The proscription of Palestine Action as a case study of terrorism law

Why is the general criminal law not sufficient to deal with direct action groups?

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/the-proscription-of-palestine-action

Personal blog: https://davidallengreen.com/2025/09/the-proscription-of-palestine-action-as-a-case-study-of-terrorism-law/

NEW Has the government overreached in using terrorism law against ...

2025-09-19T11:00:42Z

NEW

Has the government overreached in using terrorism law against Palestine Action?

A disclosed MI5 document indicates that the basis for proscription may be weak

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/71099/uk-government-terrorism-law-palestine-action

NEW What the Palestine Action proscription tells us about UK ...

2025-09-12T12:11:23Z

NEW

What the Palestine Action proscription tells us about UK terrorism law

On the difficulties of prohibiting and policing ‘expressions of opinion and belief’

By me at Prospect
https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/71048/palestine-action-proscription-uk-terrorism-law

“NEW Yield, man!” Another dark moment in United States law ...

2025-09-10T06:28:35Z

“NEW

Yield, man!”

Another dark moment in United States law and policy

By me

Substack: https://emptycity.substack.com/p/yield-man

Personal blog: https://davidallengreen.com/2025/09/yield-man-another-dark-moment-in-united-states-law-and-policy/

And she has gone, regarding a point of law which few lawyers ...

2025-09-05T11:04:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…99fy
_________________________

And she has gone, regarding a point of law which few lawyers would know the answer to.

But she should have got specialist advice.

I just know that tax law makes my brain fuzz, trust law involving ...

2025-09-04T14:35:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…0he5
_________________________

I just know that tax law makes my brain fuzz, trust law involving those without own capacity makes my brain fuzzier, and my basic knowledge of deeming provisions would not save me.

I would want to stick pencils up my nose and go 'wibble' if I were faced with this.

On Angela Rayner and tax law - a brief post by me Substack - ...

2025-09-04T14:24:47Z

On Angela Rayner and tax law

- a brief post by me

Substack - https://emptycity.substack.com/p/on-angela-rayner-and-tax-law

Own blog: https://davidallengreen.com/2025/09/on-angela-rayner-and-tax-law/

NEW The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US ...

2025-08-28T11:51:38Z

NEW

The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US constitution
In the face of an illiberal radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/70928/the-uk-constitution-is-more-vulnerable-than-the-us-constitution

Thats seems a fair point

2025-08-28T07:36:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…cmgh
_________________________

Thats seems a fair point

NEW Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would ...

2025-08-27T09:46:20Z

NEW

Yes, an incoming illiberal and radical UK government would have absolute constitutional power

By me

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/yes-an-incoming-illiberal-and-radical

Personal blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/08/yes-an-incoming-illiberal-and-radical-uk-government-would-have-absolute-constitutional-power/

The recognition of Palestine - a footnote to yesterday's post ...

2025-08-19T09:14:53Z

The recognition of Palestine - a footnote to yesterday's post

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/the-recognition-of-palestine-a-footnote

Personal blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/08/the-recognition-of-palestine-a-footnote-to-yesterdays-post/

On the recognition of Palestine A close look at an unconvincing ...

2025-08-18T18:52:48Z

On the recognition of Palestine

A close look at an unconvincing letter from "distinguished" UK lawyers

By me

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/on-the-recognition-of-palestine

Personal blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/08/on-the-recognition-of-palestine-a-close-look-at-an-unconvincing-letter-from-distinguished-uk-lawyers/

This is a good post on a disputed topic. Am thinking of writing ...

2025-08-13T17:08:32Z

This is a good post on a disputed topic.

Am thinking of writing on the topic this week at Prospect.

https://www.ejiltalk.org/no-recognizing-palestine-would-not-be-contrary-to-international-law/

NEW What makes a legal person? If invisible corporations and ...

2025-08-08T11:28:01Z

NEW

What makes a legal person?

If invisible corporations and inanimate objects can be legal persons, so can rivers and animals

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/70796/what-makes-a-legal-person

This is a horrific possibility. But, if true, neither the IT fail ...

2025-08-08T07:28:17Z

This is a horrific possibility.

But, if true, neither the IT fail nor the cover-up would surprise anybody with regular dealings with the court system.

Indeed, it is hardly now a 'system' - just constant improvisations in an under-funded process, not fit for purpose.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwye2q00k51o

Help please! It is soon time for my annual lecture on legal ...

2025-08-06T18:12:58Z

Help please!

It is soon time for my annual lecture on legal blogging and social media.

Can you please offer any links or examples of legal commentary on a blog or social media account which you have found especially useful.

In particular, anything which has changed your mind on something?

Prohibitions are not spells. Law is not magic. When you prohibit ...

2025-08-05T09:27:39Z

Prohibitions are not spells.

Law is not magic.

When you prohibit a thing, all that means is the thing may be attended by different legal consequences than before.

The thing is not extinguished by a mere prohibition: it can continue but in a different way with different (and unforeseen) effects.

NEW Why have the terms of the now-discharged Afghan ...

2025-07-17T08:18:44Z

NEW

Why have the terms of the now-discharged Afghan super-injunction not been published?

There can be no good reason for the substantial terms of the court order to be hidden

By me

Substack: https://emptycity.substack.com/p/why-have-the-terms-of-the-now-discharged

Personal blog: https://davidallengreen.com/2025/07/why-have-the-terms-of-the-now-discharged-afghan-super-injunction-not-been-published/

When telephone boxes were installed on our streets, some perhaps ...

2025-07-10T08:01:58Z

When telephone boxes were installed on our streets, some perhaps feared that this new-fangled technology would replace post boxes.

And yet the post boxes remain, and the telephone boxes do not.

“Jury-free trials proposed to save criminal justice system from ...

2025-07-09T07:31:19Z

“Jury-free trials proposed to save criminal justice system from collapse” is the judicial policy equivalent of destroying a village so as to save it.

Juries are less important for the powers they have, but for the powers they prevent others from having.

Somewhat depressing being a law and policy commentator at the ...

2025-07-08T05:38:03Z

Somewhat depressing being a law and policy commentator at the moment.

And for these four articles there could have been dozens of others similarly downbeat.

But the illiberals won’t always win.

No idea if the US will fall further into Fascism. But it ...

2025-07-01T21:38:29Z

No idea if the US will fall further into Fascism.

But it certainly will not be for the want of trying.

Extraordinary sight over the Atlantic of a polity voluntarily self-sabotaging.

Part 2 What Justice Barrett said - on a curiously unconvincing ...

2025-07-01T10:41:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…ykdq
_________________________

Part 2

What Justice Barrett said - on a curiously unconvincing exercise in judicial reasoning

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/the-us-supreme-court-judgment-on

Personal Blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/07/the-us-supreme-court-judgment-on-injunctions-what-justice-barrett-said/

NEW On the face of it, the US Supreme Court judgment on universal ...

2025-07-01T10:40:06Z

NEW

On the face of it, the US Supreme Court judgment on universal injunctions is huge.

So, in a return to 'old school' blogging, I am working through the judgment in a sequence of posts.

(I much prefer such 'old school' blogging to social media 'hot takes' - and am frankly better at it.)

Part 1

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/the-significant-supreme-court-judgment

Personal Blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/06/the-significant-supreme-court-judgment-on-universal-injunctions/

While onlookers were misdirected into worries about what happens ...

2025-06-29T08:06:50Z

While onlookers were misdirected into worries about what happens if the Trump administration ignores court orders...

...the conservative majority on the US Supreme Court, with more subtlety, has now robbed federal judges from making the most unwelcome court orders in first place.

NEW If international law suddenly did not exist, what difference ...

2025-06-27T11:23:13Z

NEW

If international law suddenly did not exist, what difference would it make?

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/70318/international-law-is-at-a-postwar-low-trump-iran

Who would have guessed that someone for whom all business and ...

2025-06-24T11:36:30Z

Who would have guessed that someone for whom all business and legal negotiation is based on bluff and bluster would have had nothing other than bluff and bluster in international affairs.

One of the great contests in world affairs is now between the ...

2025-06-24T07:18:49Z

One of the great contests in world affairs is now between the attention span of the US president and the attention span of those following the news.

NEW The law is powerless against stochastic political violence ...

2025-06-20T10:41:30Z

NEW

The law is powerless against stochastic political violence

The misuse of media power to promote harm needs a cultural, not a legal, solution

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/70248/the-law-is-powerless-against-stochastic-political-violence

Feeling sorry for any future history students who have to set out ...

2025-06-18T19:20:40Z

Feeling sorry for any future history students who have to set out the origins of the Third World War in a sequence of ordered paragraphs.

(‘If there is a future,’ types a reply-guy.)

NEW On "No Kings" How Trump sees no limits to what he ...

2025-06-16T07:06:13Z

NEW

On "No Kings"

How Trump sees no limits to what he wants to do

By me

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/on-no-kings

Personal blog:
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/06/on-no-kings/

My Prospect column from earlier this year on Trump “joking” ...

2025-06-15T15:34:51Z

My Prospect column from earlier this year on Trump “joking” about being a king.

He means it, on a legal-constitutional analysis of his actions.

He really believes all power flows from him.

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/69322/trump-the-president-who-jokes-about-being-a-king

#NoKings

NEW Trump is mobilising federal troops against US citizens with ...

2025-06-13T12:21:00Z

NEW

Trump is mobilising federal troops against US citizens with no clear legal basis

Yet the president’s latest constitutional outrage barely registers on the news

By me, at Prospect

(With added Wodehouse.)

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/70190/trump-is-mobilising-federal-troops-with-no-clear-legal-basis

Dear USA Deploying troops against civilians will not go well. ...

2025-06-09T20:39:42Z

Dear USA

Deploying troops against civilians will not go well.

Yours
Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Other than scale, the Musk-Trump fall-out is pretty ...

2025-06-06T06:40:59Z

Other than scale, the Musk-Trump fall-out is pretty indistinguishable from two start-up egotists falling out when their boastful business plan flops in reality.

Another ‘review’. To go with the various HRA Bill of Rights ...

2025-06-05T06:09:14Z

Another ‘review’. To go with the various HRA Bill of Rights reviews and working parties over last 20 years.

It is almost as if the Tories want to do something they know they cannot do.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgj8p2pv117o

Badenoch launches review into possible ECHR exit - BBC News

NEW Donald Trump now has his own ‘forever war’—against the ...

2025-05-30T12:17:12Z

NEW

Donald Trump now has his own ‘forever war’—against the judiciary

What began as the administration’s ‘move fast and break things’ initiatives are getting bogged down in the US courts

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/70038/donald-trump-now-has-his-own-forever-waragainst-the-judiciary

My explainer from a few weeks ago at Prospect on how Trump was ...

2025-05-29T05:19:57Z

My explainer from a few weeks ago at Prospect on how Trump was (mis)using emergency legislation for his tariff antics.

Overnight this (mis)use of such legislation was ruled unlawful.

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/69703/how-trump-used-emergency-legislation-for-his-tariffs-policy

NEW Explaining a 31-month sentence for a tweet How a mixture of ...

2025-05-27T09:38:17Z

NEW

Explaining a 31-month sentence for a tweet

How a mixture of court process, law and sentencing policy led to the lengthy imprisonment of Lucy Connolly

By me

Substack: https://emptycity.substack.com/p/explaining-a-31-month-sentence-for

Personal blog: https://davidallengreen.com/2025/05/explaining-a-31-month-sentence-for-a-tweet/

The irony of prisons policy is that so many in politics and media ...

2025-05-22T06:57:09Z

The irony of prisons policy is that so many in politics and media are prisoners of "tough on crime" rhetoric, and they cannot get released.

“Brexit means we can make our own agreements with the EU, as we ...

2025-05-19T16:48:27Z

“Brexit means we can make our own agreements with the EU, as we pick and choose!”

- UK chooses to make agreement with EU on a handful of issues.

“Brexit Betrayed!”

At least this is true: it is a very transparent deal. Everyone ...

2025-05-12T06:14:52Z

At least this is true: it is a very transparent deal.

Everyone can see straight through it.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/11/trump-accept-luxury-plane-gift-qatar

NEW A close reading of the "AI" fake cases judgment Why ...

2025-05-09T13:34:15Z

NEW

A close reading of the "AI" fake cases judgment

Why it is the very plausibility of AI-generated case law that should put lawyers on their guard

By me

Substack:
https://emptycity.substack.com/p/a-close-reading-of-the-ai-fake-cases

Personal blog
https://davidallengreen.com/2025/05/a-close-reading-of-the-ai-fake-cases-judgment/

NEW The use of artificial intelligence in courts: a warning A ...

2025-05-08T11:18:26Z

NEW

The use of artificial intelligence in courts: a warning

A judge deployed an onerous sanction when lawyers seemed to use fake, AI-generated case law

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/69890/artificial-intelligence-in-courts-a-warning

This week, boys and girls, we are going to find out all about why ...

2025-05-05T06:21:44Z

This week, boys and girls, we are going to find out all about why tariffs are not normally applied to service industries.

NEW Uncovering the secrets of ARIA How an ‘advanced’ ...

2025-04-25T12:16:41Z

NEW

Uncovering the secrets of ARIA

How an ‘advanced’ scientific body was reduced to claiming environmental information was not ‘environmental information’

By me, at Prospect

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/the-weekly-constitutional/69798/uncovering-the-secrets-of-aria