Brunel Law School

On Tuesday, 9th June, the non-profit organisation, Right to Equality, presented their report, “Scratching the Surface” to MPs in Parliament. The report, led by Lucy Hayton, Director of Research and Policy at Right to Equality, presents the analysis of 91 family court judgments, 72.5% of which contained at least once instance of judicial victim-blaming. The analysis drew on an innovative AI tool that detects biased and victim-blaming language developed by her EthicalAI.

The event was co-organised by Dr Adrienne Barnett, Reader in Law at Brunel University of London, and Co-Director of Right to Equality, and attended by Professor Jurgita Malinauskaite, Head of Brunel Law School. Hajab Shahid, a graduating final year Brunel law student, spoke at the event on behalf of Survivor Family Network where she is undertaking a legal internship. Another final year graduating Brunel law student, Emaan Afzal, who is currently working with Right to Equality on survey data analysis, assisted at the event. Professor Malinauskaite said that “it is so encouraging to see the involvement of our students in these inspiring initiatives”.

The report launch was hosted by Kirith Entwistle, MP for Bolton North-East, who said: “Too many women have told me that the family courts felt like an extension of the abuse that they were trying to escape. The persistent and routine undermining of victim-survivors found in published judgments demonstrates why victims of abuse have such low confidence in being treated fairly in our family justice system.”

In her Foreword to the report, Dr Barnett said: “This report shows that it is possible, with the aid of an innovative AI tool and experienced researchers, to shine a much wider, systematic light on the judicial bias and victim-blaming that too many mothers have been well aware of for decades. While this report is ‘scratching the surface’, I hope that it leads to further research and a much deeper cultural shift, which will go some way towards restoring a valid and legitimate voice for mothers in the family courts.”

We are delighted to announce this year’s recipient of the Brunel Law School (BLS) Alumni of the Year Award. This year, we honour a much-loved former member of our academic staff, whose commitment to teaching, mentorship, and scholarship has shaped the lives of generations of students while making a significant contribution beyond Brunel.

Please join us in congratulating Ms Deborah Chay (known to everyone as Debbie) on this well-deserved recognition and in celebrating an exceptional legacy of education, service, and lasting impact.

This award recognises individuals whose achievements, dedication, and impact have enriched both the Brunel Law School community and the wider legal and educational landscape.

The award ceremony will take place on 15 July at approx. 01:00pm, right after the Graduation Ceremony. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Congratulations Debbie! 👏 😊

We are pleased to introduce Konstantin Ksenofontov, Counsel at Pinna Goldberg in London and one of our speakers at the Brunel Summer Programme on International Arbitration.

Konstantin specialises in international investment arbitration and arbitration-related court proceedings. Before joining Pinna Goldberg, he worked in the London office of a leading international law firm, advising clients on complex cross-border disputes. Previously, he had also served on a special task force established by a sovereign state to protect its interests in investor-state arbitrations and related court proceedings worldwide.

Alongside his practice, Konstantin has a strong academic background. He holds a doctorate in international law from the National Research University — Higher School of Economics (Moscow), where he previously served as an Associate Professor teaching specialised courses in private international law, international arbitration, and investor-state dispute settlement. He also holds an LL.M. with Distinction from Birkbeck, University of London, where he currently holds a position of Associate Tutor.

Registration is ongoing. Link in bio.

We’re delighted to share that Dr Paula Westenberger from Brunel Law School was awarded this week a Brunel 2026 Open Research Award. The Award recognises her contribution to Open Research as a result of her BRAID Fellowship “Responsible AI for Heritage: copyright and human rights perspectives” (Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded). This includes the creation of the Heritage AI and Law - HAIL Network and her participation in a range of public consultations, showing her excellent commitment to wide stakeholder engagement.

As we count down to the 2026 Brunel Summer Programme on International Arbitration, we are delighted to continue introducing our outstanding lineup of speakers. Next up is none other than Professor Emilia Onyema.

Professor Emilia Onyema is Professor of International Commercial Law at SOAS University of London, an independent international arbitrator, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb). Her expertise spans international commercial arbitration, investment law, and dispute resolution, with a particular focus on Africa. She is widely recognised for her leadership in advancing arbitration practice and scholarship, including through the SOAS Arbitration in Africa initiative, influential empirical research, and extensive engagement with arbitral institutions and practitioners worldwide.

Registration via link in bio.

We are delighted to introduce one of the speakers at the 2026 Brunel Summer Programme on International Arbitration: Shobana Iyer, Barrister, FCiarb, and founder of Swan Chambers.

Called to the Bar of England and Wales by Gray’s Inn, Shobana is a barrister and arbitrator with over two decades of experience in complex commercial disputes, particularly in the fields of corporate, technology, AI, blockchain, intellectual property and media law. She regularly acts as counsel and arbitrator in international proceedings under leading arbitral rules and since 2021 she’s been appointed to the European Commission’s List of Chairpersons for Arbitrations under EU trade agreements with third countries.

Widely recognised for her leadership in technology laws and dispute resolution, Shobana is Co-Vice Chair of the Legal Services Committee of the Bar Council of England and Wales. She also serves on the Ciarb London Branch Committee and co-chairs the Digital Media Group of the SCL - Society for Computers and Law.

We look forward to welcoming back Shobana to Brunel Summer Programme on International Arbitration this September.

Registration is ongoing. Link in bio.

Brunel University of London

We are delighted to share this feedback from Susan Mutangadura FCIArb, ArbP, one of our 2025 Brunel Summer Programme on International Arbitration participants:

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“Fantastic program. Rich content. Well organised and expertly executed. The sessions in the leading London law firms presented a great opportunity to interface with highly distinguished arbitration practitioners and discuss practical approaches to arbitration, while experiencing the best of their environments and the city. I made valuable and lasting professional contacts. Above all, the program is well priced and great value for money. Highly recommended.

Thank you Filip Balcerzak, Boris Prastalo and Jurgita Malinauskaite for a highly educative program.”

— Susan Mutangadura FCIArb, ArbP

We are grateful to all our participants, speakers, and partner law firms for helping create a truly international learning experience that combines academic foundations with practical insights from the world of arbitration.

We look forward to welcoming participants from around the globe to the 2026 edition of the programme.

We are live from the book launch event at which Prof. Joshua Castellino presented his latest book “International Law and the Reconceptualization of Territorial Boundaries: In Pursuit of Perpetual Peace”.

Brunel’s Prof. Arad Reisberg (Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Social Mobility) recently led the two-day Higher Education Partnership Network (HEPN) North gathering in Manchester, offering thought-provoking reflections on leadership, social mobility and the future of higher education. Highlighting the importance of compassion, student lived experience and meaningful industry engagement, he emphasised the need to combine academic excellence with employability and innovation in order to create genuinely inclusive opportunities.

Prof. Reisberg also spoke about the importance of building university environments in which students and staff feel supported, connected and empowered to thrive, while recognising the outstanding contribution of Brunel student Zarrin Hassan during the “Students Unfiltered” panel discussion.

Keep up the great work Arad!

Congratulations to Dr Adrienne Barnett (Reader in Law at Brunel Law School) and Right to Equality on winning the prestigious Not-for-Profit Organisation of the Year Award at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards 2026, held at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.

Dr Barnett, Co-Director of Right to Equality and lead author of the influential report “Ending the Presumption of Contact in Family Courts”, played a central role in the organisation’s highly successful campaign to end the harmful presumption of contact in family court proceedings. The campaign contributed to the UK Government’s commitment to repeal the statutory presumption of parental involvement through the Courts and Tribunals Bill 2026.

Reflecting on the award, Dr Barnett noted that the recognition means a great deal to the small team working tirelessly to reform the family justice system and to promote a safer, fairer and more trauma-informed approach centred on the welfare of survivors and children.

At Brunel Law School we are immensely proud of Dr Barnett’s outstanding work and continued commitment to advancing a safer and fairer family justice system for survivors and children.

In the photo from the left to the right: Dr Adrienne Barnett, (Co-Director of Right to Equality), Dr Charlotte Proudman (founder and Co-Director of Right to Equality), Kate Kniveton (former MP and Ambassador for Right to Equality).