A court battle between campaign body Liberty and the government over anti-protest laws has been paused as the two sides prepare to see if they can resolve their dispute.
The Court of Appeal was due today to hear the government’s appeal to the High Court’s decision in May to quash regulations that altered the threshold for police intervention in public processions and assemblies.
Late yesterday, Liberty announced that its lawyers had agreed to adjourn today's hearing and the organisation will meet the Home Office in the next few weeks to find a resolution.
In its announcement, Liberty noted attorney general Richard Hermer’s swearing-in speech last week, in which he said: ‘Looking inwards, we will seek to promote the highest standards in how we legislate – seeking to increase accessibility and certainty in how we make law, including not abusing the use of secondary legislation.’
Liberty lawyer Katy Watts said: ‘We are glad the new government are taking a moment to reconsider, as this case has immense implications for our democracy and the potential unchecked power of ministers. The choice now facing the new home secretary is simple, do you want to continue the legacy of the past government with their rule-breaking and disrespect, or will you put into action your attorney general’s words and stop the abuse of secondary legislation? We hope today marks a new era of Government, respect for our democracy and we see this case dropped.’
Today’s adjournment comes days after, in a separate case, five Just Stop Oil campaigners received record sentences for non-violent protest.
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