The UK's Illegal Migration Act, which bypassed the usual compatibility statement with the European Convention on Human Rights, has been subject to intense scrutiny and criticism. It bars asylum claims from those entering without the right to do so and prevents victims of human trafficking from seeking protection. The act allows for the detention of immigrants and their transfer to 'safe third countries' for asylum processing, with Rwanda being paid to receive them. The lack of a compatibility statement raises the risk of a 'declaration of incompatibility' by the courts and potential conflicts with the EU, which could suspend law enforcement cooperation under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement. This could have significant implications for crime prevention and the sharing of intelligence on human trafficking.

The UK's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, containing provisions to restrict public protest and criminalize 'unauthorized encampments', has passed through the House of Lords and is returning to the Commons. The bill introduces new offences such as 'locking on' during protests, interference with infrastructure, and allows police to stop and search without suspicion. The Lords blocked some measures, but they may reappear in new legislation. The bill has been criticized for being an authoritarian attack on civil liberties, with the Lords having to defend public protest rights. Additionally, the Lords approved criminalizing residing on land without consent, which could lead to the seizure of vehicles and property, potentially rendering individuals intentionally homeless.

The UK Supreme Court has made two judgments that limit the scope of judicial review of administrative decisions, aligning with the government's own proposals in legislation. The Judicial Review and Courts Bill allows judges to suspend orders that strike down administrative actions, conferring temporary validity on decisions that are unlawful, pending correction. The Supreme Court's recent decisions in the cases of Re A and BF (Eritrea) have narrowed the grounds on which policy guidance and decisions made under it can be nullified, focusing solely on whether the policy misdirects officials in their legal obligations. This marks a shift back to the judicial review stance of the 1980s and provides the executive with more leeway to advance policies with reduced judicial scrutiny.

The article is a personal narrative of the author's experience walking the Camino de Santiago during a midlife crisis. The Camino is a pilgrim's route that starts in southern France and ends in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. The author reflects on the simplicity of life on the Camino, where pilgrims carry only essentials and support each other through the journey. The walk serves as a metaphor for life, encouraging perseverance through challenges. The author encounters various individuals, each with their own stories and reasons for walking the Camino, from dealing with loss to celebrating survival. The pilgrimage allows the author and others to reflect on life, find meaning, and decide on a new future, emphasizing the importance of just keeping walking, both literally and metaphorically.

In the article, Francis Fitzgibbon discusses the approach the LGBT community should take in the fight for gay marriage rights. He suggests that instead of fostering a mob mentality, the community could benefit from adopting Abraham Lincoln's strategy of turning enemies into friends. Fitzgibbon cites a historical anecdote where Lincoln was questioned about his treatment of enemies and he responded that by making them his friends, he is effectively destroying them. The article implies that a more conciliatory and understanding approach may be more successful in winning rights for the LGBT community.