Shining a Light on Justice, Empowering Your Legal Journey
Written by John Barwell
In March 2025, ten women – among them doctors, a nurse, and a nuclear industry whistleblower – launched a legal challenge against the UK’s judicial watchdog. They allege that an employment judge, Philip Lancaster, bullied and biased proceedings in their cases, yet the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) refused to investigate.[^1] One complainant, Alison McDermott, […]
Written by John Barwell
The UK’s ICO, SRA, and FCA have become toothless regulators, necessitating fundamental reform or total replacement to restore public trust and accountability.
Written by Admin
Whistleblowing platforms claim to offer protection and integrity, but what if they’re just another layer of corporate control?
Written by John Barwell
In an era where justice is increasingly elusive, a disturbing trend has emerged—not from misguided litigants in person (LiPs), but from the legal teams representing powerful respondents.
Written by John Barwell
Drawing from my personal experience with Burnetts Solicitors, I discuss how a firm’s representation of opposing parties can undermine confidentiality and loyalty, ultimately harming the testator’s interests.
Written by John Barwell
The legal profession prides itself on the principles of integrity, transparency, and fairness. Yet when these values are subverted, the ripple effects extend far beyond the parties involved, threatening public trust in the system itself. Recent employment tribunal cases involving Capsticks, the NHS’s favoured legal partner, have exposed a troubling pattern of tactics that some […]
Written by John Barwell
Long dismissed as nuisances or obstacles to efficient litigation, Litigants in Person (LiPs)—individuals who represent themselves in court without legal representation—are challenging entrenched assumptions about their capabilities and the legal system itself.
Written by John Barwell
The SDT’s revocation of an SRA rebuke underscores the challenges of balancing solicitor accountability with proportional regulatory enforcement.
Written by John Barwell
I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate workings of the legal profession and the delicate balance law firms must maintain to uphold justice and integrity. Recently, a scenario caught my attention that highlights the profound impact of being labelled as “vexatious.” Traditionally, this term has been associated with individuals who misuse the legal system to […]
Written by John Barwell
The SRA’s new guidance for in-house solicitors highlights ethical responsibilities but raises questions about the practical challenges of reporting wrongdoing in hostile workplaces.
