'Obscenity lawyer' to use crowdfunding to create social change

'Obscenity lawyer' Myles Jackman has launched an appeal on crowdfunding site Patreon for monthly donations to fund his pro bono activism practice.

Known for his work in representing defendants charged with consensual adult pornography offences, funds raised will allow Jackman to work pro bono on privacy and freedom of expression issues for the sexual liberties campaign, Backlash.

Recognised as Law Society's Junior Lawyer of the Year in 2012 for his legal work representing sexual subcultures while with London firm Hodge Jones & Allen, he hopes to fund a judicial review of the extreme pornography laws which were central to the infamous 'Tiger porn' case.

Andrew Holland was charged with possession of 'extreme pornography' under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act after being sent an unsolicited video that allegedly showed a woman fornicate with a tiger.

At court, however, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was embarrassed upon realising the tiger was actually a man in fancy dress.

In today's announcement, Jackman commented: 'I'm launching my appeal in the public domain as the first lawyer to use crowdfunding to create social change. I want to benefit society by challenging our arcane obscenity laws.

'Given the current climate of government cuts to criminal legal aid, I knew I had to do something to continue my pro bono activism and work campaigning for the recognition and rights of the BDSM, LGBTQ, adult-industry and sex work communities.'

Jackman launched his Patreon appeal to his Facebook friends two weeks ago. Within ten days he received responses from over 70 patrons, who pledged to donate over $1,000 in total every month.

The personal donations, which currently range from pledges of US$1 to $150 per month, will allow the solicitor to work pro bono on the kinds of legal challenges that have made him a celebrity in legal circles.

'I feel completely overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit my friends have demonstrated,' said the sexual freedoms specialist.

In a recent profile by the Guardian, Jackman explained he was a member of a community whose sexual activities were challenged by arcane laws.

The 'Batman of obscenity' has advocated that consent was the guiding principal to determining whether any act of extreme pornography warranted legal intervention.

'Consent has to be the guiding principle,' he told the paper's Edward Docx. 'Consent should be fairly simple to observe - right?

'Animals, cadavers, children under the age of 16 cannot give consent. People under a mental incapacity are not competent to give consent. Likewise, those who are intoxicated or under any coercion or duress.'

Matthew Rogers is an editorial assistant at Solicitors Journal

matthew.rogers@solicitorsjournal.co.uk