A few weeks ago, I was invited to sign the Declaration of Conscience, in which more than 150 barristers pledged not to prosecute climate activists or act for fossil fuel companies. I was sorely tempted. I struggle, personally, to understand the policy of aggressively prosecuting climate activists while taking few meaningful steps to address climate change. Moreover, many of those who signed the declaration are people whom I have long admired. Certainly, this article should not be taken as a comment on the morality or legitimacy of their individual choices. The declaration caused significant controversy and even provoked calls to re-evaluate the cab-rank rule.
I didn’t sign the declaration. For the same reason, whenever I am asked in interviews if I would describe myself as an “activist law...