When I first started studying law, I was fascinated by the clarity of legal principles. The structure, the logic, the way a case can hinge on the precise interpretation of a few key words—it was all deeply satisfying. But as I’ve continued my journey, working in legal-adjacent leadership roles and studying alongside real-world legal developments, I’ve come to realise something just as important: Understanding legal principles is only half the story—applying them in practice is where the real learning happens. In this post, I want to reflect on how legal principles move from theory to practice, and why grappling with that transition is essential for anyone serious about a legal career—especially in complex, fast-moving areas like commercial, regulatory, and employment law. From Blackletter Law to Grey-Area Decision-Making In law school, we often begin with blackletter law—clearly defined rules laid out in textbooks, statutes, and leading cases. These principles provide the scaffolding:

As a Scottish gay man deeply invested in the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights—and with a lukewarm interest in Scots Law—I have been closely following the Supreme Court case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers. This case centers on whether individuals with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) identifying them as female are legally recognised as "women" under the Equality Act 2010. After reviewing the hearings and legal arguments, I believe the appeal will be refused. Yes, I watched the whole thing—so you don't have to. Procedural Context and the Question Before the Court The legislative background starts with the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018, which aims to increase the proportion of women on public boards. The Scottish Ministers issued statutory guidance which defined "woman" to include transgender women with a GRC. This definition was challenged by For Women Scotland Ltd (FWS), arguing it was beyond legislative competence because it redefined

I spent my Wednesday evening, as one does, scanning the latest parliamentary updates over a cup of coffee. And honestly? It was more chaotic than a WhatsApp group chat planning US Defence Strategy. Let’s talk vapes. The government is pressing ahead with legislation that will ban the sale of disposable vapes and restrict marketing that targets children. The health secretary said the move aims to prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine. Honestly? About time. For years, these candy-coloured gadgets have skirted under the radar. This bill—set to pass with cross-party support—finally puts some muscle behind the warnings. Now visas. Immigration reform has once again taken centre stage. The latest proposals tinker with the points-based system, introduce stricter salary thresholds for family visas, and make sponsorship rules more cumbersome for SMEs. This matters. If you’re a small business trying to grow with overseas talent, you’re facing another mountain of paperwork and

Legal professionals, are no strangers to complexity. From navigating statutory nuance to managing high-stakes litigation, law is a discipline built on precedent, process, and precision. But in recent years, an undeniable shift has begun to reshape our daily work: technology is no longer just a support function—it’s becoming a driver of change in how legal services are delivered. This blog post marks the launch of my new Law Tech series—a dedicated space to explore the evolving intersection of law and technology in England and Wales. We’ll look at the tools transforming practice, the challenges of digital transformation, and the broader questions tech raises for justice, ethics, and professional identity. Why Law Tech Now? While the idea of "legal technology" isn't new (we've had case management systems and digital legal research tools for decades), the acceleration of innovation post-pandemic has been unprecedented. Remote hearings, e-disclosure, AI-assisted contract review, virtual le

Choosing commercial law wasn’t just about a fascination with contracts and corporate deals—it was about finding an area that challenges me intellectually, aligns with my operational mindset, and offers real-world impact. But the reality is that my legal journey hasn’t been confined to commercial topics alone. As a law student and professional navigating multiple domains—from criminal law and torts to employment, public law, and beyond—I’ve had to develop strategies for keeping pace with it all. Working full-time while studying, writing, and leading projects means staying organised is non-negotiable. In this second post in my Why I Chose Commercial Law series, I want to share the tools and techniques that help me stay sharp (and mostly sane), no matter what area of law I’m focused on that day. 1. Motion – My Personal Assistant in the Background Motion has completely transformed the way I manage my professional and academic life. I use it to automatically schedule and prioritise everythi

Law Tech Lessons for Small and Growing Firms When people think of “Big Law,” they often imagine sprawling offices in the City, billable hours stacked like bricks, and armies of junior lawyers in tailored suits. For SMEs—especially those working with lean budgets and agile teams—it can feel like a world apart. But as someone who works closely with small businesses and keeps a sharp eye on how larger firms are using technology, I can tell you this: there’s a lot we can learn from big law firms—without copying their mistakes. This post kicks off my Law Tech series with one clear message: technology is a great leveller, and there’s never been a better time for SMEs to borrow smartly from the strategies of larger legal players. 1. Invest in Systems Early Big law firms invest heavily in infrastructure—practice management software, secure client portals, digital knowledge bases—and they do it because they understand the long-term value of operational efficiency. As an SME, you might not need