Defend our Lawyers

An account following the proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC, a barrister who is due to stand trial on 28 July 2026 for contempt of court. Web page coming soon.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

A petition in support of Rajiv Menon KC launched by @DefendOurJuries and Netpol has now exceeded 11,000 signatures. The details are below

[Real Media @RealMediaGB]

Netpol and @DefendOurJuries have launched the "Save Britain's Juries" petition

The campaign follows Judge Jeremy Johnson's unprecedented actions against Rajiv Menon KC, lead defence counsel for the Filton 6, which campaigners say threaten the long-established independence of juries and the right to a fair trial.

Please sign and share 👉https://t.co/mQrxdE5Z7f

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

The London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association @lccsa highlights the proceedings against Rajiv Menon KC

https://t.co/ca8SNP0KUN

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

'Descent into authoritarianism? Undermining the role of defence lawyers: the Rajiv Menon KC case' - speakers added to online event hosted by @gcnchambers @gardencourtlaw @OnePumpCourt and @NexusChambers
The event will be chaired by Pete Weatherby KC. More than 700 people have now registered their attendance.

Speakers include the Chair of the CBA, Riel Karmy-Jones KC @TheCriminalBar, Baroness Helena Kennedy KC of @DoughtyStreet, Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, the Director of Liberty, Akiko Hart @libertyhq and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh of @MatrixChambers - details below.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

You can read The Times coverage of the case here

https://t.co/uR20QVShGk

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

On 22 July 2026, Garden Court North are holding an event in relation to the case. There will be several speakers. The details are below.

[Garden Court North @gcnchambers]

📢 NEW SPEAKERS📢

We are pleased to announce that Baroness Helena Kennedy KC and Riel Karmy-Jones KC will join the 'Descent Into Authoritarianism? Undermining the Role of Defence Lawyers: The Rajiv Menon KC Case' event next Wednesday.

Register here: https://t.co/vGQ7nahWrx

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

On 22 June 2026, Johnson J decided to send the case to another High Court judge, pursuant to rule 48.5(4) of the Criminal Procedure Rules, for contempt of court proceedings to be instituted. You can read the judgment here https://t.co/LlM9HQkdGw

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

This account will give a timeline of proceedings so far and will also link to coverage and events about the case.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

You can read Matt Foot's article @MattFoot2 about the case here https://t.co/7KoMLeiAdT

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

On 28 July 2026, Rajiv Menon KC will stand trial at Woolwich Crown Court. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

You can read the Summons and Order here https://t.co/EVmYSi3va4

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

On 29 June 2026, Nicklin J issued a summons ordering Menon to stand trial for contempt of court on 28 July 2026. The summons was published by the MoJ on its website. No other example has been found of the MoJ publishing a summons against a private citizen.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

Menon appealed. On 12 May 2026, the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) decided that Johnson J and Edis LJ had no jurisdiction to send him directly to the High Court to answer an allegation of contempt. You can read the judgment here https://t.co/LueggGQyZK

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

On 11 March 2025, Lord Justice Edis held a hearing in the High Court, at the conclusion of which he summonsed Menon to answer multiple allegations of contempt. He declined to determine Menon's complaint that the court was acting without jurisdiction.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

On 18 February 2026, whilst Menon was abroad, Mr Justice Johnson referred a contempt allegation against Menon to the High Court.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

Menon said that what he had done was to tell the story of Penn and Mead (Bushel's case) in order to inform the jury that no judge can direct a jury to convict (R v Wang [2005] UKHL 9). The trial continued.

[Defend our Lawyers @DefendourLawyer]

At the conclusion of the speech, Johnson J accused Menon of breaching paragraph 36 of the 22 December ruling by telling the jury about ‘jury equity’. Menon denied he had breached the ruling.