Is the First Amendment the greatest right of all? - Clive Stafford Smith

Watch the Q&A session here: https://youtu.be/W5EKhMWdjP4

In this lecture we will discuss a hierarchy of rights. Is the American First Amendment the most important of all, given its five foundational rights – no establishment of religion; free exercise of religion; freedom of speech and the press; the right peaceably to assemble; the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. How might this apply to the UK?

This lecture was recorded by Clive Stafford Smith on 27th February 2025 at Barnard's Inn Hall, London.

Clive is the Gresham Professor of Law

He is the founder and director of  the Justice League a non-profit human rights training centre focused on fostering the next generation of advocates.  He also teaches part time at Bristol Law School and Goldsmiths as well as running a summer programme for 35 students in Dorset, his home. He has received all kinds of awards in recognition of his work, including an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for “services to humanity” in 2000. He has been a member of the Louisiana State Bar since 1984.

The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/first-amendment

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