Fresh legal scrutiny of barons’ actions 800 years later

IT WAS a rebellion that would lay the foundations of modern democracy, but the actions of those who engineered the signing of the Magna Carta are set to be scrutinised 800 years on.
A copy of the Magna Carta held at Durham Cathedral.A copy of the Magna Carta held at Durham Cathedral.
A copy of the Magna Carta held at Durham Cathedral.

A mock trial of barons and bishops will be held in the Palace of Westminster to mark the anniversary of the Magna Carta, a document which was only signed by the King after 25 barons - including aristocratic Yorkshire landowners - confronted him over his tax regime. They saw that their money was funding wars overseas and the document, which the King later had annulled by the Pope as he claimed it had been sealed under duress, detailed a 63-clause set of ideals under which the King would be bound to rule.

Now, the legality of the barons’ action will be examined afresh, with TV presenter Clive Anderson playing a leading role as a “trial” is held in front of Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, Justice Stephen Breyer of the US Supreme Court, and Dame Sian Elias, Chief Justice of New Zealand.

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Lord Neuberger said: “We will be deciding whether, setting aside the global impact of some of the ideas embedded in Magna Carta, the barons’ actions in 1215 could be justified in law.

“We can’t promise a polished theatrical performance, but we do hope to offer a creative and interesting way of retelling the great Magna Carta story that encourages people to think about the battle of wills and principles that lay behind this world famous treaty.”

Organised by the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Commemoration Committee and the UK Supreme Court, the ‘trial’ will take place on Friday, July 31 and the “verdict” will be published online.

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