Overview

• A hearing at the Court of Appeal is reviewing the legal defence of 'consent' for climate protestors accused of criminal damage, following a request from Attorney General Victoria Prentis.
• The review was prompted by cases where protestors were acquitted after arguing property owners would have consented to damage if aware of climate impacts.
• During the hearing, a 'people's assembly' was held inside the Royal Courts of Justice to protest the potential narrowing of legal defences for activists.
• The decision will not affect previous acquittals but could restrict the use of the 'consent' defence in future cases, impacting how climate protests are conducted.
• The case has sparked debate over the balance between the right to protest and property rights, with implications for the UK's approach to protest and free speech.