OD: really, I do disagree, even in respect to the evidence BC refers to. There's nothing wrong with these individuals saying they were fundraising as there were many others.
BC points EJ to the document
BC: were now on draft 4 as OD as on the hoof redrafted it
EJ: is there any life left in the original application? Is there any use to the original application which seeks to not publish names and emails
OD: I take BC's point about rewording and I apologise there have been various iterations and BC shouldn't suggest that's improper. The new doc doesn't stop people reporting the fundraising activities but will protect their privacy
EJ: if tribunal were to restrict names and emails, would we have to adopt ciphers and have all info redacted. Thinking of the particular risk Jenny Smith TT identified of anyone inadvertently sharing anonymous material
OD: the redaction exercise would be limited, it's a limited suite of docs in the Bundle and would require any witness statements being redacted that's easy to do. And to use complainant 1, 2, 3 and 4 as to how we refer to the individuals.
EJ: what I'm envisaging is that some points in the doc, complainant 1 appears as complainant 1 and in other docs referred to as their names. Everyone including tribunal members will have to be careful not to forgot. BC has indicated the employment status issue
OD: in which case we'd have to identify which documents they're involved in and where they had specific interactions to the Bundle that was made public.
BC: this is introducing a whole new level. We made it clear ...(missed) and this is delaying the proceedings.
BC: AP tells me there are 1000s of mentions by the individuals in their bundles. If we're to start with a remote possibility of hearing submissions we have to start tomorrow morn and there has to be a copy of the bundle that ppl viewing can see. I take OD point about refinement
OD: a practical solution is we refer to them as their names and reporters have to be careful not and would require Jenny Smith and her colleague to give pause before she writes her tweet and that way there'd be no restriction
OD: the Bundle could have supervised access rather than put up publucally on the website until the redactions have been made. I disagree there are 1000s of refs nor Di they feature in narrative of docs, but emails will need to be redacted
EJ: it's been common practice for there to be some means to see the Bundle. It's been common currency the bundles are made available remotely and secondly if we did have supervised access, it wouldn't involve standing over members of the public so they can't write it down
OD: I'm thinking they can't take screenshots.
EJ: in olden days we couldn't make sure of that either
OD: (missed)...that's my experience of different regions
OD: we would ask for the necessary time to redact this information...which isn't a great number...I'm told it's not
EJ: we'll consider the whole matter and aim to give a decision at 4pm. For necessity we will give the outline reasons for our decision but won't be a fully drafted set of reasons... which I'm sure you'll understand. Again, please leave and rejoin at 4pm.
There was a lot of discussion of examples, about the restrictions potential effects, to the extent that we feel it best not to report some of the the session in detail. We're ready for restart at 4pm.
We are back.
EJ: we've come to a conclusion of which we are unanimous. We will make a restrictive reporting order for names and emails for the duration of the hearing for the 4 complainants This started as an application for exactly that.
OD said jobtitles needed restricting then after the subs a further refinement was introduced that the tribunal should define which ways the people should be referred to. Then a further refinement.
EJ: BC position described as neutral and also objection eceived on behalf of press association and live tweeters. In regard to balancing exercise of open justice, any order we make must be practical and clear not least because a breach is criminal.
EJ: We found it wouldn't be practical or proportionate...members of the public would not be able to understand if restricted the way suggested. Its essential for open justice theat it can be reported so people can understand. Looking at original we found article 8 is engaged
EJ: we found the public would not need the names or emails to follow the case. Tribunal considered it would give some protection to them and balancing the competing factors. A proportionate measure to take. The order will have force during the hearing.
EJ: It's been a somewhat difficult exercise because it's come at a late stage right at the beginning of the hearing. The leaves a remaining question which is how the Bundle will be dealt with.
EJ: It seems to us placing the docs on a website to the public would amount to reporting or publishing the info and if that will be done the docs will need to be redacted.
BC is offering suggestions for the Bundle to be accessible.
ID: we can work that before tomorrow morning
BC: one other practical matter, people will drop in and out of this and we'll need to work out how to give this info. We can put this in the chatroom
EJ: I'm wondering myself how to do it
BC: if we can make sure people arrive in batches we can make sure that can be done
OD: everyday we can remind people and the clerk can do this in the waiting room to make sure it's enforced
EJ: we admit people at ten and anyone late to that will wait to mid morning break and at each point the existence of the order made clear
OD: that'd be workable
BC: that involves some restriction of the hearing because usually pol can come and go as they please.
EJ: if there are dozens of people coming and going and each time they have to be warned. Perhaps we can think on this overnight
BC: a good point about connection breaks
EJ: thinking allowed it may be possible to keep a register of who is attending
AP: some people will be following this via the live tweets and it's not impossible upon googling we're told to find out who the individuals are. How will people if they don't log on to this, how will they know not to do this
BC: there are 2 separate questions: how do make sure people in the hearing hear the order and the public hear the order. We can park that and think about it. What we need is the best possible way of the order being on the door like in a physical building.
BC: I can't think of a better solution than the one OD suggested other than a clerk monitoring the room at regular intervals and giving the briefing.... we may need to start earlier
EJ: it's not as easy as that. We can turn off cameras & converse over the phone for 5 minutes
5 minutes later...
EJ: right we can start at 9.30 if that's all right and we can have a think overnight about this. We adjourn until 9.30am tomorrow.
Bird vs the Liberal Democrats will continue this morning, scheduled for a 10:30 am start. Reading over yesterday's coverage, it provides an accurate account of proceedings. Additional background may be a useful aid to understanding.
Ms Bird claimed that the Liberal Democrats (both of the United Kingdom and of England) had discriminated against for her gender critical beliefs, including removing her as a Parliamentary candidate.
The Liberal Democrats admitted Ms Bird’s claims just before the trial was due to begin in July 2024. The explanation from LDs was that this was to save time and costs. A subsequent hearing for damages and costs was scheduled for 16 & 17 December 2024.
Abbreviations
NB/C - Natalie Bird, claimant
LD/R - Lib Dems, respondent
EW - Emma Walker, barrister for claimant
EH - Elliot Hammer, solicitor for claimant
NR - Nathan Roberts, Matrix Chambers for the respondent
NR - Point 1, C has not provided evidence with regard to parliamentary career and feelings. 2. The case is prone to exaggeration. 3. The evidence misfires in that it is not relevant or hasn't addressed the detriments. The award should be no more than £10k.
EW - now explaining the number of elected members of the LD federal board, there were 15. But it's unclear that there were 3 elected positions in 2024.
J - there are 3 elected positions of the fed board, many members are ex officio, she is claiming for hurt feelings for not
being allowed to stand for election for the federal board in 2021.
EW - there were 15 elected positions in 2021, not 3.
J - but you're not calling your witness to clarify.
NR - I'm surprised that MLF is making submissions on this. Why are they claiming for £90k not £20
We are hoping to report today from the County Court London (at the Royal Courts of Justice) on the costs hearing for Natalie Bird vs the Liberal Democrat Party and others.
The Liberal Democrats admitted to discriminating against Bird, shortly before court proceedings were scheduled to begin in July 2024. Our coverage on the case is here: open.substack.com/pub/tribunaltw…
A two day hearing in front of Her Honour Judge Evans-Gordon is scheduled to consider a cost award for the claimant.
Costs hearings can be heavy on legal argument and may be difficult to follow. We will do our best.
This is part 2 of the afternoon session at the Court of Appeal "Re Q", an application by a parent to prevent a minor child accessing a non-NHS 'gender' clinic before the age of 18. Part 1 is here:
RB: few other points to flag up - [citation - "revisit of Gillick"] - important to bear in mind Q has right to medical confidentiality, and Q was v clear wd have strong objections to appellant seeing results of assessments etc
RB: so court would have to decide things like what information court should share with A - Q would have strong objections.
Good afternoon, welcome back to the Court of Appeal. We will start again at 2pm.
Mrs A seeks to prevent her child from obtaining cross sex hormones via a private prescription.
A - Mrs A
AB - Mrs A's Barrister
R - respondent
RB - respondents Barrister
F - Father
Q - the child
AB - notes references on medical capacity act and what sections of rules are being used. Identifying before you Mundy lines argument.
*speaker issues in court*
AB - if there remains concerns about capacity the way forward is the same as when someone lacks capacity.
AB where finely balanced, base it on assessment, the parents concerned and the provider (conflict here as private provider). Then a referral would be to the court of protection. And the person would have legal representation. Even when all parties agree on way forward.