Former Lord Chief Justice – Ian Burnett

Lions under the throne or enemies of the people? Judges in Britain today.
The courts’ role in enforcing constitutional law and human rights standards has been a subject of intense debate. This came to a head in 2016 when the government lost the Article 50 case at the High Court. Highly controversially, the Daily Mail attacked the three judges as “enemies of the people.”

More recently, challenges to the then Government’s Rwanda immigration scheme and the sentencing of five Just Stop Oil protesters in July have opened fresh debate about process and sentencing.

Ian Burnett, Baron Burnett of Maldon
The Lord Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary in England and Wales. Lord Burnett held this position from 2017 to 2023. During his time in the role, he dealt with six Lord Chancellors and kept the courts open through the Covid pandemic.

In his address Lord Burnett will discuss the importance of public trust in the judiciary and the factors that can erode it, such as corruption, bias, and perceived injustice. He’ll analyse the influence of public opinion on judicial decision-making and the potential risks of catering to popular sentiment.

Date: Thursday 28 November
Time: Doors from 19.00, talk starts 19.30
Where: Salisbury Museum Lecture Hall
Tickets: £20