Getting into judges

Once by far the least popular and most inaccessible topic, the judiciaryon the UK politics papers is attracting more, and better, responses.

Part of this, I am sure, is with the increasing role that judges have played in politics in recent years. It is now a much less dry topic than when I studied it at school, believe me.

Here are some further examples for students to get their teeth into.

Earlier on this month the Supreme Court ruled that gays could claim asylum in Britain if they were to face persecution in their home countries. See the BBC website here.

A good case of judges advancing civil liberties.

More recently this month, the courts continued to examine the anti-terror legislation that the Con-Lib coalition has inherited rom Labour. A ruling in the court of appeal opened the door for a number of individuals to seek compensation for being detained under control orders. Again, a good example of protecting civil liberties.

Importantly the court also prevented the right of the Home Secretary to appeal, thus illustrating the extent to which the judiciary is free from pressure from the executive and parliament. Read more here.