Dicta

Dicta Welcome to Dicta. The official magazine of the University of Bristol Law School.

Edition 12 explored the powerful question “Just Us? Who does ‘justice’ truly serve?” through 24 thought-provoking articl...
09/01/2026

Edition 12 explored the powerful question “Just Us? Who does ‘justice’ truly serve?” through 24 thought-provoking article. We also launched our New Voices Essay Competition, giving aspiring legal writers the opportunity to contribute - with the winner earning a managing editor position for Edition 13.

Thank you to everyone who read, engaged with, and contributed to making Edition 12 a success. To our writers, editors and creatives - thank you, you have brought Edition 12 to life!

Now, we’re excited to see what Edition 13 will bring! 📚✨

“Musk and Bezos’ wild west: space’s legal landscape” by Gavin Dolby examines the challenges and impacts of space on nati...
26/12/2025

“Musk and Bezos’ wild west: space’s legal landscape” by Gavin Dolby examines the challenges and impacts of space on nations and companies. It argues that space law can be difficult to apply as countries avoid consequences of their actions. “Clearly, with modern political issues, Martian law is not the most obvious to focus on first, but unless significant developments are made in this area, not only may Mars become a repeat of previous failures to protect universal interests, but those issue may come back to haunt us on Earth. “ Read the full article on page 17 of DICTA’s edition 8.⚖️🔭

From historic price crashes to the rise of green investing, the pandemic has forced a dramatic reckoning for the global ...
24/12/2025

From historic price crashes to the rise of green investing, the pandemic has forced a dramatic reckoning for the global oil industry. But as the world debates ‘peak demand,’ a crucial insight remains: ‘it is important to recognise that a slower rate of growth does not mean that growth will simply stop.’ So, has COVID-19 truly sparked the terminal decline of oil, or merely a decades-long transition? For the full article on peak demand, shifting investments, and the uncertain future of oil, go to Edition 8, page 16 through the link in our bio. 📉🛢️

🚨Apply now to be Editor-in-Chief for DICTA’s 13th edition! Applications are OPEN for Editor-in-Chief of Dicta! This is y...
20/12/2025

🚨Apply now to be Editor-in-Chief for DICTA’s 13th edition!

Applications are OPEN for Editor-in-Chief of Dicta! This is your chance to lead Bristol’s legal journalism magazine and shape its future direction. Don’t worry if you haven’t done this role before, transferable skills are valued! We are looking for a genuine passion for legal journalism, a clear vision for the 13th edition, exceptional editing skills and leadership abilities.

Think you have got what it takes? Applications shut on the 9th January (so get your applications in), with interviews happening 12-16th!

Note: the role is open to anyone who is NOT graduating 2026! Link to the application is in our bio - any questions let us know! Good luck ✨

“A reaction to revenge p**n law: without consent and with intent?” by Milly Ball examines the issues of revenge p**n in ...
19/12/2025

“A reaction to revenge p**n law: without consent and with intent?” by Milly Ball examines the issues of revenge p**n in a legal sense. The emotional distress element of the revenge p**n law caused several considerations by the public, particularly campaigns, about excluding other motivations for sharing offensive materials. It explains how the Internet has become a place for people to disseminate offensive materials that causes harm to the victims and how legalisations are made to protect the victims. “There is a real danger that the urgent need to enact legislation will supersede the corresponding need for quality and thorough policy.” Read the full article on page 48 of DICTA’s edition 3. ⚖️🤳

From checkout-free stores to AI lawyers, the pandemic has accelerated a robotic revolution in retail and beyond. But as ...
17/12/2025

From checkout-free stores to AI lawyers, the pandemic has accelerated a robotic revolution in retail and beyond. But as automation reshapes our workforce, one truth endures: ‘there will always be a concrete need for human labour in some form.’ What does the future hold for human workers in an age of Amazon Go, shelf-stocking robots, and GPT-3? Can AI really replace creativity, judgement, and trust? To read the full analysis on automation, AI, and the irreplaceable role of people, go to Edition 8, page 26 through the link in our bio 📱🤖

“That’s my Meta-Birkin: NFTs and high fashion at war” by Anastasia Lewis-Hackshaw examines the challenges and impacts of...
12/12/2025

“That’s my Meta-Birkin: NFTs and high fashion at war” by Anastasia Lewis-Hackshaw examines the challenges and impacts of the virtual world of art and fashion through independent artists and big brands. Virtual realities, blockchain and crypto are influenced by the developer of blockchain, Satoshi Nakamoto. This is founded on project by cryptographers Stuart Haber, W. Scott Stornetta, and mathematician Dave Bayer. “The metaverse is new, posing various legal questions, not declaring corporations de facto winners. This is exciting, meaning that independent designers finally have a chance to protect and share their work online.” Read the full article on page 5 of DICTA’s edition 9.⚖️💡

From landmark legal theory to enduring debates on rights and equality, Ronald Dworkin’s liberal philosophy continues to ...
10/12/2025

From landmark legal theory to enduring debates on rights and equality, Ronald Dworkin’s liberal philosophy continues to shape modern jurisprudence. As this article explores, his work challenged predecessors and institutions alike in pursuit of a more principled legal system. Writer Spencer Turner notes that Dworkin “stood for freedom and fairness through his liberal philosophy.” But how does his vision of ‘law as integrity’ resonate in today’s courts and classrooms? To read the full article, go to Edition 1, page 7 through the link in our bio. ⚖️📘

“Lawyers for free” by Patrick O’kane examines the pro bono service. It focuses on the impact of compulsory and voluntary...
05/12/2025

“Lawyers for free” by Patrick O’kane examines the pro bono service. It focuses on the impact of compulsory and voluntary pro bono. It distinguishes the procedure UK and others jurisdictions from others countries, such as New York, Australia and Singapore and discusses the advantages of the legal service for law students. “Compulsory pro bono work enables the government to evade its responsibilities. Pro bono work, being entirely voluntary, cannot offer the same level of practical support people that the legal aid system has not provided for.” Read the full article on page 13 of DICTA’s edition 2. ⚖️📑

From criminal codes to constitutional courts, the legacy of colonial rule continues to shape justice in much of the worl...
03/12/2025

From criminal codes to constitutional courts, the legacy of colonial rule continues to shape justice in much of the world. As this article explores, true legal decolonisation is not a single event but an ongoing struggle to untangle inherited systems from modern sovereignty. Sam Allibone notes that ‘the sun never sets on the British empire’ is still proving true as many countries still find themselves enmeshed within British systems of law. But is the answer to reject these frameworks entirely, or to build something new in their place? To read the full article, go to Edition 8, page 5 (link in our bio) ⚖️🌍

Listen to the fifth episode of DictaPod, “The Doctrine of Consideration with Dr Joanna McCunn” which is focused on the h...
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!🎙️🤖

The debate on Scottish independence reveals a constitutional landscape defined by historical separation and legal ambigu...
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). 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚖️

Address

Wills Memorial Building
Bristol
BS81RJ

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dicta posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category