Dicta

28/11/2025

Listen to the fifth episode of DictaPod, “The Doctrine of Consideration with Dr Joanna McCunn” which is focused on the history of the principle of consideration in English Law. Dr Joanna McCunn is a senior lecturer in law at the University of Bristol, specialising in the history of law. She did researches regarding several topics such as the evolution of UK contract law in the 19th century. In this episode, Sam and Joanna discussed through many topics such as action of assumpsit and the theory of a will. To listen the episode, click on the link in our bio or find it on Spotify!🎙️🤖

26/11/2025

The debate on Scottish independence reveals a constitutional landscape defined by historical separation and legal ambiguity. An independent Scotland would, in one view, “merely be cutting the final thread between what are essentially already two separate systems,” yet this act would force unprecedented questions upon the European Union. With no precedent for a new nation seceding from an EU member state, the path for an independent Scotland is uncharted, creating a test case that would resonate with independence movements across Europe. To read the full piece, click the link in our bio (edition 2, page 8). 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚖️

21/11/2025

19/11/2025

Are we trading justice for entertainment? With cameras now allowed in the Court of Appeal, a new debate is unfolding. Critics warn that media corporations often “seek the salacious and the sensational,” turning serious legal proceedings into reality TV. This shift risks creating a system where high-profile cases are sensationalised, witnesses feel pressured, and the public gets a distorted, biased view of justice, much like the infamous O.J. Simpson trial. To read the full article, go to Edition 2, Page 11 - link in our bio! 🎥⚖️

14/11/2025

“Child influencers and the law” by Shriya Kunkumalla examines social and legal issues regarding child influencers, particularly with an example of a French Statute about the protection of child influencers. “Child influencers” are child who use the internet for entertainment and promotional purposes, such as unboxing and reviewing toys. This lead to some questions about how child influencers can be considered as “workers” under the law. The evolution of technology permits the advancement of new jobs that change our lifestyles. “the only real way to go about instigating change in the digital space is if lawmakers take notice and pave the way for the future generation of child influencers by ironing out these ambiguous boundaries and blurry lines that persist.” Read the full article on page 44 of DICTA’s edition 8. 🤳⚖️

12/11/2025

Was toppling a statue of Edward Colston an act of vandalism, or of public justice? The acquittal of the Bristol Four forced a national conversation about who we choose to venerate in our public spaces. This act wasn’t about editing the past, but about unmasking it. As the article powerfully states, ‘While history can never be edited, we hold the power to edit the present.’ So, what story does our present landscape tell? To read the full article, go to page 33, edition 9 (link in our bio) ✊🏽⚖️

07/11/2025

“Decriminalisaiton of assisted dying: prospects” by Lewis Graham examines assisted dying with its challenges and considerations. Assisted Dying Bill is significant as it allows prescriptions for some lethal drugs but with strict conditions that people need to follow such as “must be suffering from a terminal illness with prognosis of less than six months to live“. Support for this procedure might evolve. “Yet the public approval rates and shifting stances of key players, including core medical and religious bodies, may indicate that consensus in what was previously considered a moral impasse may cautiously be swinging in favour of decriminalisation.” Read the full article on page 56 of DICTA’s edition 3 ⚖️ 💊.

05/11/2025

From police investigations to press freedoms, the legal tension between privacy and expression is a defining battle for modern democracy. As this article argues, this balance is crucial for true accountability and individual autonomy. The author states that ‘there is intrinsic value in being able to express yourself,’ suggesting free speech must be the prevailing right. But in an age of intense scrutiny, is this principle under threat? To read the full article, go to page 43, Edition 9 (link in our bio) 🗣️⚖️

31/10/2025

Listen to the third episode of DictaPod “Criminal Law with Sarah Thorne”, interviewed by Sam Orpin. Sarah Thorne is a barrister at Lamb Building who focuses her work on criminal law, particularly cases involving r**e and sexual offences. Sam and Sarah exchanged through different questions and considerations by covering several topics related to prison, sentence policy and reform. To listen the episode, click on the link in our bio or find it on spotify.🎙️⚖️

29/10/2025

From Brexit to “Partygate,” recent years have revealed a troubling pattern of disregard for the rule of law at the highest levels of government. As this article explores, this crisis of accountability extends beyond the UK, reflecting a wider global erosion of democratic safeguards. As she writes, ‘the rule of law is only as strong and protected as the Executive accords.’ Are we witnessing the decline of constitutional integrity, or the first signs of redress? To read the full article, go to page 21, Edition 10 (link in our bio) ⚖️📰

27/10/2025

🚨Launch of our new essay competition: New Voices.

Pick one of the five prompts and write up to 1000 words! The judges are assessing the quality of your writing, research and structure.

The winner gets a managing editor position (only five positions available each year) for the 2026 DICTA team and a £20 voucher! Runner up wins a writer position and a £10 voucher.

Link to submit is in our bio - any questions let us know!

Good luck ✨

24/10/2025

“Citizenship deprivation: growth of the ‘second class citizen’” by Alice Manning explains the impact of the UK government on citizenship deprivation. It argues that minority inequality are widely present and that create an unfair system. “Citizenship deprivation is by no means a modern phenomenon, but amendments to the BNA, and those proposed by the Nationality and Borders Bill, have normalised its use today. Such a power is no longer used with greatest discretion in exceptional circumstances.” Read the full article on page 13 of DICTA’s edition 9 ! ⚖️🛂