Father Ted writer says TRA is a dangerous troll

I've allowed my initial 3 month subscription to turn into a permanent one because The Times has done such a great job covering this issue.

The Times is the only newspaper that has consistently covered these issues using rational analysis. I don't like Rupert Murdoch, but I am grateful to Lucy Bannerman, Janice Turner and Andrew Gilligan for their articles and I have taken out a £1 for 3 months subscription which will probably turn into a full paying monthly one.

Thank you to Graham Linehan too and I am sorry his family have been brought into this.

Tiger whilst 'therapist' and 'counsellor' aren't regulated terms 'psychologist' is. It's regulated by the HCPC.
I think the term 'lawyer' should be too. Just like sex and gender get used interchangeably in everyday use, so do lawyer and solicitor.

AFAIK anyone can call themselves architect as well.

Glinner is very brave to stand up and be counted like this. He's lost huge numbers of followers because of it, the subject is so toxic, and the public have been so brainwashed into swallowing the 'why are people being so mean to these poor people who will kill themselves if anyone says they're men?^

I have absolutely no sympathy for someone who threatens suicide to get their own way, or force others to agree with them. It's emotional bullying. It's the stick that's used to beat anyone who tries to urge caution about feeding drugs to young teenagers.

Exactly so Lass. It is a criminal offence to call yourself a solicitor if you are not on the roll

www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/fraud-dishonesty/bogus-fake-solicitors.page

Should read ^practising certificate"

Lawyer is someone who practices law - it can include academics

It really isn't. It's basically a meaningless layman's term. Academics teach or research law - they do not practice law unless they also happen to be a solicitor with a practicing certificate or a member of the Bar or the Faculty of Advocates. Parr time tutors are often practising solicitors, barristers or advocates- full time academic staff are unlikely to be practicing.

Am I right in thinking you can't call yourself a solicitor or barrister or doctor without the relevant qualifications? Interesting that lawyer isn't covered

A solicitor must have a practicing certificate from one of the Law Societies. An advocate (Scottish version of barrister) must be a member of the Faculty of Advocates and an English barrister a member of their equivalent. All of these people will have gone through a qualifying process and are regulated by their professional bodies, who in turn are regulated by statute.

"Lawyer" isn't covered because it's a meaningless term in a professional context.

Interesting (and completely unsurprising) that even though 'the lawyer' had a problem with Graham Linehan they decided to attack his wife. Misogyy wins the day no matter what. The TRA cannot avoid showing who they are with every action.

I'm pretty sure that going after the family members of people you disagree with is universally considered despicable even if you do identify as a lawyer.

Thank you, Graham and Lucy. It’s good that the actions of these people are being brought into the spotlight.

Thank you Graeme

If I recall correctly, ‘solicitor’ and ‘barrister’ are strictly speaking the correct titles in the UK, whereas ‘lawyer’ is an American term so maybe it doesn’t have any professional protection here.

Comments are heartening. I've seen the Baby Lawyer on twitter and they are good at what they do (attack, wail 'poor me, no fair', insult, outrageous claims...). Obviously someone with far too much time on their hands.

I was shocked when I read the Terfclub thread about S Hayden, which was seriously damning. Yet another transitioner with multiple past names and an apparently troublesome history.

Yes, and the powers that be need to be aware that Self ID will make this problem, many times worse.

A little Father Ted clip for those who have trouble distinguishing perception from reality

Am I right in thinking you can't call yourself a solicitor or barrister or doctor without the relevant qualifications? Interesting that lawyer isn't covered.

Unfortunately there are plenty of other professions in the UK that don't have that protection. Counsellor/therapist/psychologist is one where there is the capacity to do significant harm if one doesn't have relevant training and supervision. Accountant is unregulated. You can't call yourself a chartered or certified accountant but anybody can say they are an accountant, even if they'd struggle to add two and two.

Good article, thank goodness for The Times.

Well done Lucy. Well done Graham and well done all the times readers.

I see Leeds is once again at the centre of this ever increasing steaming pile of bull crap.

Lawyer is someone who practices law - it can include academics.

What does SH do all day, for a job?

And thanks Graham for your bravery.

How many identities does one person need?

This is shocking.

If someone claims to be a programmer, the assumption would be that they were professional. Anyone with no practical experience or qualifications who advertised themselves as a programmer would be lucky to land a junior role.

The fact that Stephanie took patronising praise from a judge that that are a 'real lawyer' as their only proof of being a lawyer says it all. That's what a kindly judge would say to a needy amateur who has read up on some niche area of law.

I was shocked when I read the Terfclub thread about S Hayden, which was seriously damning. Yet another transitioner with multiple past names and an apparently troublesome history.

Delighted to see it in the Times. Presumably they have investigated the allegations on both sides and drawn their conclusions.

I had SH blocked as there seemed to be a doxxing risk. So many of the more extreme campaigners seem really unpleasant.

God dammit I thought I’d got there first

Stephanie identifies as a lawyer - what’s the problem?
Thank you again Graham, and you too Lucy Bannerman. Be careful out there.

Maybe she just identifies as being a lawyer?