The field is still open as to what will become the defining story of this year's news 'silly season'. However one strong contender among the legal chattering classes is undoubtedly the X debate: is it time to kiss goodbye to the social network formerly known as Twitter? 

While some former twitterers have quietly decided to get a life instead, others have chosen to make their departure a public event. Step forward top London set One Pump Court. In an anguished post this week, Pump's 'Fearless barristers with a compassionate approach' informed the network's remaining readers: 'For some time, X (formerly known as Twitter) has played a significant role in our online presence and community building. However, we’ve reached a point where we must prioritise our values and the kind of online environment we wish to contribute to.

'The recent changes on X particularly under Elon Musk’s leadership, no longer resonate with One Pump Court Chambers core principles. We believe in fostering a space for constructive dialogue, actual information, and respecttul discourse. Unfortunately, the current trajectory of the platform contradicts these values.'

Decrying what it calls Twitter's 'negative online culture', it concludes that One Pump Court will no longer 'contribute to an environment that detracts from productive conversations and undermines civil discourse'.

Obiter hopes the civil discourse on now-favoured channels BlueSky, Threads and LinkedIn is more to the chambers' taste. 

The Gazette, by the way, is still tweeting: @lawsocgazette.

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