Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
‘Something’s wrong, change the law’ epitomises the approach of many to social change. And few can doubt that social change has often walked in step with legal reform. Maya Forstater, Harry Miller and Allison Bailey have all won court cases recently that have clarified the law against illiberal and censorious trends relating to free speech and equalities legislation. But is there a danger that today’s social reformers are focused on Lawfare, the use of law to change society, as a short cut to taking the public with them?
Should the law reflect a popular consensus, or can it be used to ‘improve’ the consensus? Is seeking legal protection against egregious examples of, for instance, workplace cancel culture, a remedy or an evasion? What are the pros and cons of using the law courts as allies of liberty?
Speakers
Maya Forstater - executive director, Sex Matters
Luke Gittos - criminal lawyer; author, Human Rights – Illusory Freedom
Jeremiah Igunnubole - barrister; legal counsel, ADF International; former senior crown prosecutor, Crown Prosecution Service
Sarah Phillimore - barrister; campaigner, Fair Cop; member, Bad Law Project
James Tooley - vice chancellor, University of Buckingham; author, The Beautiful Tree
Chair
Jacob Reynolds - partnerships manager, Academy of Ideas
This debate was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival in October 2022. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the THANKS button to help us film and edit further imp[ortant debates.
‘Something’s wrong, change the law’ epitomises the approach of many to social change. And few can doubt that social change has often walked in step with legal reform. Maya Forstater, Harry Miller and Allison Bailey have all won court cases recently that have clarified the law against illiberal and censorious trends relating to free speech and equalities legislation. But is there a danger that today’s social reformers are focused on Lawfare, the use of law to change society, as a short cut to taking the public with them?
Should the law reflect a popular consensus, or can it be used to ‘improve’ the consensus? Is seeking legal protection against egregious examples of, for instance, workplace cancel culture, a remedy or an evasion? What are the pros and cons of using the law courts as allies of liberty?
Speakers
Maya Forstater - executive director, Sex Matters
Luke Gittos - criminal lawyer; author, Human Rights – Illusory Freedom
Jeremiah Igunnubole - barrister; legal counsel, ADF International; former senior crown prosecutor, Crown Prosecution Service
Sarah Phillimore - barrister; campaigner, Fair Cop; member, Bad Law Project
James Tooley - vice chancellor, University of Buckingham; author, The Beautiful Tree
Chair
Jacob Reynolds - partnerships manager, Academy of Ideas
This debate was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers at the Battle of Ideas Festival in October 2022. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the THANKS button to help us film and edit further imp[ortant debates.
