The Early Railway Age & Its Influence On The Law Of England & Wales
Webinar
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The speaker, Ian Harris, introduced Nick Cook, KC, to discuss the early railway age (1825-1875) and its influence on the law of England and Wales. Harris drew a parallel between the railways and the industrial revolution and machine learning and artificial intelligence in the technology era, suggesting that the legal and regulatory changes during the railway age offer valuable analogies for addressing contemporary challenges in the technology space. He outlined the structure of the lecture, including a keynote presentation by Cook followed by a question and answer session, and encouraged the audience to submit questions via GoToWebinar. He highlighted Cook's background as a retired judge, his connection to the Lord Mayor's Knowledge Miles series, and his personal connection to railways.
Background:
The popular astronomer and scientist Carl Sagan claimed, ‘You have to know the past to understand the present.’ This address is given with that in mind. The effect of the early railway age, which identified here as 1825 to 1875, upon the development of our law is little acknowledged now but was wide ranging. That effect had significant, even seminal consequences for company law, compulsory purchase, accident inquiries, fatal accident, and personal injury litigation, including employers’ liability, and trade union rights.
Looking at how the criminal law responded to railway accidents in terms of sentencing can encourage us see modern sentencing guidelines differently.
The story of how a technological revolution sparked widespread legal changes is instructive for the present and our immediate future. Although the title of this webinar may appear specialist or dry the nature of its content is very different.
Speaker:
Nicholas Cooke KC was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth (Honorary Fellow, 2022) and called to the Bar, Middle Temple 1977 (Bencher 2010). Q.C. 1998. Formerly Recorder of Cardiff and Judge of the Central Criminal Court, Deputy High Court Judge, Queen’s Bench Division and an additional Judge of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). He is Chancellor of the Diocese of St Davids and President of the Provincial Court of The Church in Wales. Nicholas is a Freeman of the City, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, and a member of the City Pickwick Club.
Retired, Nicholas is reading for a doctorate at Worcester College, Oxford and plays veterans hockey for the Welsh Dragons.
