An attack on the past and a guide to the future? Lord Sumption's latest lecture - John Denis-Smith (Practical Law Dispute Resolution Blog)

In a common law jurisdiction, the law proceeds by principle intertwined with precedent. When judges give talks about the law, they often focus exclusively on precedent. Lord Sumption has taken a different approach. His talks focus on points of principle: witness his speech to the Chancery Bar Association on Reflexions on the Law of Illegality on 23 April 2012. He is unafraid of being seen as outspoken in differing from judges and, indeed, generally (witness his talk, Home Truths about Judicial Diversity, 15 November 2012).

To read John's full blog, please click here.