John Brace

✏️ Freelance journalist based in Birkenhead (Wirral,UK). Wirral Council and Merseyside politics are the topics I cover. Send stories to [email protected] .

[John Brace @level80]

@NeilWilbyMedia @MouseInTheCourt @hmcts Did you get a response on the PUA point from the @NUJofficial @NeilWilbyMedia - if so can you share it?

[John Brace @level80]

@NeilWilbyMedia @MouseInTheCourt @hmcts to court security variations even within a city or local authority area or as buildings used are redesigned/remodelled. Personally I never understood why accredited journalists can't be added to the Professional Users Access Scheme - as we're a professional user too!

[John Brace @level80]

@NeilWilbyMedia @MouseInTheCourt Yes thanks for that @NeilWilbyMedia - court security varies a lot across England, from my experience of no searches at all on anybody attending, to judicial orders about court security and inconsistent practice across @HMCTS , the Professional Users Access Scheme fast lane...

[John Brace @level80]

I’m at Wallasey Town Hall in Seacombe on the Wirral (Merseyside, UK) ahead of a meeting of @WirralCouncil ‘s councillors (Council) due to start at 6.00 pm. Agenda and reports for Annual Council (Part Two) can be read on @WirralCouncil’s website here - https://t.co/dVJUUl4LtT

[John Brace @level80]

I’m at Wallasey Town Hall in Seacombe on the Wirral (Merseyside, UK) ahead of a meeting of @WirralCouncil ‘s councillors (Council) due to start at 6.00 pm. Agenda and reports for Annual Council (Part Two) can be read on @WirralCouncil’s website here - https://t.co/dVJUUl4LtT

[John Brace @level80]

Annual Meeting (Part 1) (Wirral Council) 13th May 2026 [VIDEO] https://t.co/JB71dNUfCY via @YouTube

[John Brace @level80]

Annual Meeting (Part 1) (Wirral Council) 13th May 2026 [VIDEO] https://t.co/JB71dNUfCY via @YouTube

[John Brace @level80]

Annual Meeting (Part 1) (Wirral Council) 13th May 2026 [VIDEO] outgoing Mayor Cllr Brian Kenny, incoming Mayor Cllr Mary Jordan and incoming Deputy Mayor Cllr Mike Sullivan https://t.co/JB71dNUfCY via @YouTube

[John Brace @level80]

or information under the open justice principle in paragraphs 21-23 and in paras 24-25, what happens if someone breaches a Tribunal order and that orders holding a hearing in private or an order just sent to parties, how that impacts reporting too of such orders and hearings.

[John Brace @level80]

My only case in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) was 2019. The decision was published here in November 2019 [2019] UKUT 305 (AAC), https://t.co/JvR5iZujEP . I specifically stated (although part of the appeal was social security related) not to have anonymity.

[John Brace @level80]

My only case in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) was 2019. The decision was published here in November 2019 [2019] UKUT 305 (AAC), https://t.co/JvR5iZujEP . I specifically stated (although part of the appeal was social security related) not to have anonymity.

[John Brace @level80]

The Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) have today (24th March 2026) published their Open Justice Practice Guidance today here:- https://t.co/vQUw3djOGy

There are a number of changes (from 30/3/2026) that I will go into detail about in subsequent tweets...

[John Brace @level80]

or information under the open justice principle in paragraphs 21-23 and in paras 24-25, what happens if someone breaches a Tribunal order and that orders holding a hearing in private or an order just sent to parties, how that impacts reporting too of such orders and hearings.

[John Brace @level80]

are outlined in paragraphs 8-10 and details on how to apply for an anonymity or privacy order in paragraphs 11-17, details on public access to hearings (whether in person or video or audio) are in paragraphs 18-20 and the procedure for applying for public access do documents...

[John Brace @level80]

and final decisions will continue to be published online. Details of circumstances in which a party can apply to restrict specific information from the public and press (and the Tribunal's powers) are detailed in paragraphs 4-7, access to papers in the case...

[John Brace @level80]

the process for an appellant to go through if they wish to apply for anonymity or a different type of restriction on open justice. (as a result the UT1 form has been changed.

Listings (including party names) will continue to be published online and outside the hearing room...

[John Brace @level80]

Previously party names in decisions about social security and child support cases published decisions only used initials. Now the party names will be used unless a rule 14 order has been made or the Judge decides to make an order or issue directions.

The guidance sets out...