Law and Disorder

Remembering James Munby

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

On New Year's Day 2026, Sir James Munby, former President of the Family Division, died at the age of 77. Here, the Law & Disorder trio pay tribute to James and reflect on his long and storied career.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Iran Crisis

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

This week we're returning to the ongoing crisis in Iran with Nicholas and Helena joined by Ken Roth, formerly the executive director of Human Rights Watch. Are the United States violating international law with their reprisals against Iran's nascent nuclear programme? Does Israel have a valid case for taking pre-emptive action against Tehran? And do the international courts have the legal teeth to ever take men like Trump, Netanyahu and Putin to task for their flagrant disregard for geopolitical norms?

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

International Law Under Threat (Again)

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:53:36 GMT

The crisis unfolding across Iran and the Gulf nations poses many questions. First amongst those is whether the United States and Israel were in breach of international law for their pre-emptive strikes on Tehran. To consider this – and place it in a historical context alongside the Caroline affair, the Suez Crisis and the Iraq War – the Law & Disorder assemble from around the globe.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's Tariffs v the Supreme Court

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

This week we're looking at the decision of the United States Supreme Court to go against President Trump in a ruling which contests his power to unilaterally set tariffs. The case could have significant financial consequences and is being heralded as a possible turning point for a court that's often seen as excessively political. But what was in the nitty-gritty of the judgment? And does it really suggest a change of approach from the conservative majority court? The Law & Disorder triplets are joined, this week, by David D. Cole, one of America's leading constitutional law scholars (and friend of the show) and Lord Robert Carnwath, who sat on the UK Supreme Court from 2012 to 2020.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Persecution of Jimmy Lai

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

In light of Hong Kong businessman and media tycoon Jimmy Lai being sentenced to 20 years in prison under China's National Security Law (a conviction for fraud was overturned after the recording of this episode), we wanted to return to the story of one of the great modern human rights injustices. Helena, Charlie and Nicholas discuss the plight of Jimmy Lai and his family, and whether British judges who continue to serve in Hong Kong are safeguarding other political prisoners or offering validity to a corrupt regime.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Editor: Lulu Goad

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandelson, Mountbatten-Windsor, and Malfeasance

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:27:11 GMT

This week we're talking about another subject that's been dominating headlines: the release of the Epstein files and the implication of Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in potential abuses of public office. The Law & Disorder trio gather to try and unpick the potential charges the two could face (the episode was recorded prior to Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on February 19th) and what defence they might mount.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Editor: Lulu Goad

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Palestine Action

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:27:15 GMT

One of the most controversial legal stories of the last few months has been the arrest and charging of a number of demonstrators linked to the pro-Palestine group, Palestine Action. To some, their strategies have strayed beyond protest and civil disobedience and into more dangerous territory, but, to others, they are the victims of an over zealous suppression enforced by a society reluctant to look squarely at human rights violations in Gaza. As ever, the Law & Disorder team are on hand to try to unravel some of the thorny legal aspects of this case, and consider what the future holds for protest in Britain.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Editor: Lulu Goad

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Competition Law

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

It might lack the dark glamour of criminal law or the ideological appeal of human rights law, but competition law is an important part of the systems that underpin our society. But in the modern age – with tech oligarchs becoming ever more influential – does it have the teeth to prevent monopolies forming? To discuss this, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn are joined by another esteemed member of the Mostyn clan: Henry Mostyn, a partner at Cleary Gottlieb, and a specialist in this corner of the legal maze.

This episode was generously sponsored by Cleary Gottlieb.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Immigration Debate

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

British politics seems increasingly dominated by issues surrounding immigration. With Reform surging in the polls and the 'small boats crisis' never far from the headlines, it's more important than ever to give a fair hearing to the legal and moral framework behind immigration. To do so, Helena, Charlie and Nicholas are joined by Enver Solomon, outgoing CEO of the Refugee Council and an expert in Britain's contentious immigration debate.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Social Media Crisis (with Beeban Kidron)

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Australia has recently introduced a ban on under-16s using social media, a measure that has considerable support here in the UK. But does it really tackle the core issue of Big Tech companies exposing children to addictive algorithms and dangerous content? Has the government been captured by shiny technology companies and the promise of jobs and investment? Or is there something that could be done to protect people from digital abuse? Beeban Kidron – Baroness Kidron of Angel, to her peers in the upper chamber – is a film director who has become a campaigner for digital safety. She joins the podcast for a conversation, and debate, about how best to tackle this issue.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Capture of Maduro: is international law dead?

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 10:21:08 GMT

On January 3rd 2026, the United States launched an audacious mission to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and bring him back to the US to stand trial on charges related to "narcoterrorism". The operation has shocked the world, with some quarters celebrating the toppling of an illegitimate, authoritarian regime, and others decrying the flagrant abuse of international law. Has President Trump put the final nail in the coffin of the concept of international law? Or is there a defence for the operation via precedent or domestic law? The Law and Disorder trio – Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn – assemble to discuss.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025: The Year in Law

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

2025 has been a hugely consequential year, with troubling assaults on the Rule of Law in the US as well as challenges to international law in the Middle East and Ukraine. Closer to home, the UK justice system continues to creak under the weight of the backlog. With so much happening, the Law & Disorder team gather (remotely) one last time for 2025, to look back over the past 12 months and ahead to the start of a new year. Are our legal norms being irreparably eroded? Or can the rules-based order reassert itself?

If you want to enter the competition to win a signed copy of Edward Stourton's new book, please send your entries to lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Misconduct Dilemma: how should abuse be reflected in financial remedy proceedings?

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Should misconduct be taken into account when an equitable division of assets is being attempted following a divorce? That's the question we're dealing with today, as Nicholas Mostyn – and old hand in these affairs – and Helena Kennedy are joined by Anita Mehta, a barrister and co-host of Talking Family Law. Together they talk about the law as it was, is and could possibly be, as our understanding of complex issues like domestic abuse and coercive control evolve.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Life and Times of Brenda Hale

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Baroness Brenda Hale is one of the most experienced legal minds in the country. Having served on the Supreme Court (including a stint as the first female President) she joins this week's podcast to reflect on her storied career, the times when she came up against certain podcast hosts in court, and some of the pressing issues facing the justice system, from the future of jury trials to the alleviation of the backlog. Witty, insightful and wise, Baroness Hale's life will prove an inspiration to many.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beth v The Security Service: do we have the right checks on investigatory powers?

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

There has been much in the news in recent years about undercover police work, with the public shocked by the level of intrusion permitted. Charlotte Kilroy KC, our guest today, is an expert on this subject, and has recently represented a woman, Beth, whose partner allegedly used his status as an informant for MI5 in order to inflict domestic abuse. In this wide-ranging discussion, the team look at the role of undercover personnel, the work of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, and what balance must be struck between the question of national security and the safety and privacy of those coming into contact with subterfuge.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Future of the Jury Trial (live from Ripon Cathedral!)

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Last week, the Law & Disorder trio had the privilege of broadcasting live from Ripon Cathedral, where they debated a key question at the heart of proposals to revamp Britain's justice system: should jury trials be consigned to history? Or is there space for a hybrid system? Tied to suggestions made by Sir Brian Leveson, the team make their arguments for and against preserving a key part of Britain's common law system.

This event was kindly sponsored by Irwin Mitchell solicitors.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump v the BBC: can the President really sue the BBC?

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 18:51:21 GMT

Donald Trump is threatening to sue the BBC for a reported $5bn over the BBC's flagship Panorama programme's 'misleading' edit of one of his speeches. The President is claiming significant reputational damage stemmed from an injudicious edit which made it seem like he had directly incited the 6th January insurrection at the Capitol. But does he really have a case? How much money could the Beeb be on the hook for? Or is the American President using 'lawfare' to chill his media critics? Nicholas Mostyn, Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy gather to discuss this momentous collision of politics and the law.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Employment Rights Bill

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

The 2024 General Election feels a long time ago now – and must feel like another lifetime for Sir Keir Starmer – but one of the Labour party's flagship propositions, the new Employment Rights Bill, is inching its way towards the statute book. To discuss the implications (both for employers and employees), the Law & Disorder team are delighted to be joined by David Reade KC of Littleton Chambers, one of the UK's top employment barristers, who proves an expert guide through a thicket of legalisation with profound implications for how we all do business.

This episode is generously sponsored by Tideway, specialists in pension drawdown, investment management, tax-efficient income, and much more.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel and International Law (with Jonathan Sumption)

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Since we began work on Law & Disorder back at the start of 2024, the challenges surrounding Israel's war on Gaza have been front page news. Have the Israeli's committed war crimes? Does this constitute a genocide? And what levers are available to the international legal community? For two years, these issues have swirled, and in spite of a recent ceasefire, no proper resolution seems near. To discuss all of these issues, we're joined by Jonathan Sumption, one of Britain's leading lawyers and a former judge on the UK's Supreme Court. He has written on this issue, and sits down with Charlie, Helena and Nicholas to discuss and interrogate his views.

You can purchase your ticket for our event at Ripon Cathedral, sponsored by Irwin Mitchell LLP, by clicking here.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hillsborough Law

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In 1989, 97 people lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster. The fight for justice, led by their families, has taken decades, and there are still huge failures of accountability. The cover-up after the disaster only served to exacerbate the pain of victims, and prevent justice being served. That's where the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, better known as the Hillsborough Law, comes in. Today on Law & Disorder we're joined by Pete Weatherby KC, who has represented the families of Hillsborough victims and is one of the architects of the law, to explain why new legislation is necessary, and what it could achieve.

You can purchase your ticket for our event at Ripon Cathedral, sponsored by Irwin Mitchell LLP, by clicking here.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Afghan Superinjunction

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

This summer, a superinjunction was lifted, following an independent review, which had prohibited reporting on a massive data breach relating to the possible evacuation of Afghans to the UK in the wake of the Taliban takeover there. The court battle, fought between a number of media organisations and the government, exposed the ways in which the law must strike a delicate balance between national security and transparency. Did they arrive at the correct result here? To discuss, the Law & Disorder trio are joined by Pia Sarma, Editorial Legal Director at Times Media Limited, who was a key player in the fight to bring these facts to light.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Events on Planet Tax (with Dan Neidle)

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Planet Tax – widely considered the most interesting and sexy domain in our galaxy – is the home of a a certain Dan Neidle. A former Head of Tax at Clifford Chance, Dan has become the country's most prominent tax vigilantes, holding public figures to account over their tax arrangements. This week, he talks us through two knotty, political tax affairs: Angela Rayner's failure to pay sufficient stamp duty on her home (which cost her her job in government) and seemingly similar shenanigans from one Nigel Farage. As ever, Dan is a witty and erudite guide through the British tax system.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SLAPPed

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT

SLAPPs: Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation. These lawsuits, often brought by the super wealthy, have been in the news a lot over the past few years, and, indeed, we've covered them before on the show. But today we're looking at it from the impact of the SLAPPee, in this case Charlotte Leslie, a former Tory MP and now Director of the Conservative Middle East Council. Her experiences shed a light on the impact these cases can have and the Kafkaesque nightmare of pursuing the truth in our Byzantine criminal justice system.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Setting the World to Rights with Alastair Campbell

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Alastair Campbell has worn many hats: journalist, bagpiper, political operator, Burnley ultra, and, most recently, podcaster. This varied CV has brought him into frequent contact with power and infrequent contact with the law. In this episode, a wide-ranging season opener, he talks candidly with Charlie, Helena and Nick about his life in politics, his fears for the current state of play, and his optimism about how things can be turned around. The conversation covers everything from comparisons between Keir Starmer and Tony Blair and thoughts for combatting Reform, to whether he got on with Jonathan Sumption during the Hutton inquiry!

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump v CASA

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Birthright citizenship is an important Constitutional right in the United States, but one that is increasingly challenged under the second Trump presidency. In this episode, we re-convene with David D. Cole, a top constitutional lawyer and former Legal Director of the ACLU, to discuss the case of Trump v CASA, a Supreme Court case which addressed whether lower courts could issue 'universal injunctions' to block nationwide enforcement of policies, and more generally how the Supreme Court is managing the tricky relationship with the man in the Oval Office.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gender Dysphoria Treatment for Children

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Few social issues have proven quite as controversial or emotional as the fraught subject of gender dysphoria treatment for minors. In both the UK and US, the question has vexed doctors, lawyers and politicians. The balance between the medical and psychological wellbeing of trans youngsters presents unique challenges for physicians and legislators, and it feels like we are yet to alight upon a compassionate solution. To discuss, the Law & Disorder team are joined by two great experts from either side of the pond. David D. Cole is a top US constitutional lawyer and former National Legal Director of the ACLU, who has brought challenges to the absolutist position of American state legislators; Hilary Cass is a retired paediatrician and author of the Cass Review into gender care in England, who now sits alongside Charlie and Helena in the House of Lords. In this discussion, they probe the position of both courts and the medical services, in the hope that clarity might be found in such a challenging issue.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump and the Rule of Law with Anthony Scaramucci

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Donald Trump is desecrating the United States' fundamental belief in due process – or, at least, he's trying to. Standing in his way are a number of obstacles, including the constitution, the courts, and his former comms director, Anthony Scaramucci, who has become a vociferous critic of his old boss. After just 11 days in the role – a unit of time now known as "a Scaracmucci" – Anthony was sacked and liberated to pursuit a vibrant media career that has seen him become an internationally recognised truth-teller. He joins the podcast this week to reflect on Trump's second term, America's historical relationship with the rule of law, and whether democracy is imperilled by forces within the White House.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cannabis

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Why is cannabis illegal in the UK? This is a vexed question that dates back to colonial times but continues to be a hot button issue in the present day. Indeed, Charlie Falconer recently chaired a report for the London Drugs Commission on this very topic, recommending that cannabis possession be decriminalised but dealing remain outlawed. Is this an elegant solution or a mealy-mouthed fudge? To debate the issue, Charlie is joined by his regular companions – Nicholas Mostyn and Helena Kennedy – as well as Professor Mike Barnes, a renowned neurologist with a particular interest in medical cannabis, and Peter Reynolds, president of the cannabis campaign group CLEAR UK.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sports with Nick De Marco KC

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Is sports a law unto itself? That's the question posed this week, as the Law & Disorder crew are joined by Nick De Marco KC, perhaps the UK's top sports lawyer. Nick has worked on cases ranging from corrupt cricketers to fiscally feckless football clubs, and offers here a tour d'horizon of the landscape in sports and the law. Should betting companies offer markets on yellow cards? Did Jannick Sinner get off lightly with his doping ban? Will a judgment ever be delivered on Manchester City's PSR violations? Nick, along with Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer, knock all these issues for six on an end-to-end episode of Law & Disorder.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Media Freedom Under Siege

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Media freedom around the world has never been more embattled. A rise in violence perpetrated against journalists and media proprietors has been accompanied by a significant surge in the use of 'lawfare', frivolous but destructive lawsuits designed to silence and intimidate. To discuss this crisis, the Law & Disorder team are joined by Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, a leading lawyer representing accused or imprisoned journalists or bereaved families, and Sebastien Lai, the son of Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong businessman and media entrepreneur who has been imprisoned by authorities. Caoifhionn and Sebastien discuss their own struggle to free Jimmy Lai from where he is being held in solitary confinement, a case which illuminates the current assault on the rights and safety of those who hold the powerful to account.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Climate Change and the Law

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 05:30:00 GMT

With climate change an ever increasing priority for people and governments around the globe, it is necessarily becoming a major part of our legal system. How do treaties like the Paris Agreement bind countries to climate goals? Can people – old and young – use the law to hold the state to account over climate action? And, in a world where climate change denial is increasingly mainstream from politicians, can the law offer a check to the spread of that rhetoric? To discuss all this, Nicholas, Helena and Charlie are joined by Lord Carnwath, to discuss everything from Donald Trump's denialism to Tony Blair's interventions.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tariffs

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 03:00:00 GMT

Tariffs: a word that has become, in the past few months, a political hot potato. With US President Donald Trump slapping major tariffs on countries all around the world, the Law & Disorder crew gather to consider these moves in their historical context and probe their legality. Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer are – regrettably – missing Helena this week, but we have two guests to compensate: Thomas Sebastian, barrister and expert in tariffs, and Edward Stourton, presenter of Radio 4's Sunday, who is currently writing a book about American political history.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Non-Court Dispute Resolution

Sat, 31 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Until recently, there was no real pressure on parties to mediate before an issue went to court. It has created an expensive, and often destructive, dynamic. But now, there is a concerted movement to introduce more "non-court" options, from mediation and arbitration to third party evaluation and collaborative law. To discuss this attempt to innovate in a calcified field, the Law & Disorder trio are joined by two revolutionaries in the area: Karen Barham, solicitor mediator at Moore Barlow, and Tom Carter, a barrister at 1 Hare Court.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the Law Above You?

Sat, 24 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Earlier this spring, Sir Nicholas headed off to Chamonix for a conference of family lawyers. There, he delivered a speech titled "The Law is Above You". But is it? In this episode, we'll play an extract from that speech and spark a conversation with Charlie and Helena about the Trump administration's myriad abuses of power, and whether the law can be play a role in preventing further injustices.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI and the Law

Sat, 17 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT

On this week's episode of Law & Disorder we're considering one of the big societal issues of the 2020s: the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). What challenges does it pose the law? And what possible advantages could be reaped? Will it be used to augment current practices? Or will it entirely refashion how the law works? To discuss this, our intrepid trio are joined by Richard Susskind, a leading lawyer and author of How to Think About AI, and Gregory Mostyn, co-founder of a legal tool, Wexler, and scion of a great legal dynasty.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prosecuting Fraud

Sat, 10 May 2025 05:00:00 GMT

What are the challenges of prosecuting fraud, in cases where the disclosure documents might make War and Peace look like a flimsy little pamphlet? That's the question being consider this week on Law & Disorder and to get to the heart of this, the gang – Nicholas Mostyn, Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy – are joined by James Hines KC, one of the country's most experienced lawyers specialising in fraud. From subjects like juries' comprehension of complex technical details to whether young lawyers aren't being financially incentivised to specialise in this area, this wide-ranging discussion asks important questions about whether we can do more to tackle white-collar crime.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Irving v Penguin Books and Deborah Lipstadt: 25 years on

Sat, 03 May 2025 06:00:00 GMT

This April marks the 25th anniversary of a landmark case in which the British historian and Holocaust denier David Irving sued American Professor Deborah Libstadt, and her publisher Penguin Books, for defamation. What proceeded was a 9 week trial which established a definitive judgment on Irving's historiography – not to mention his anti-semitism. For this special episode of Law & Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy convene at the offices of Mishcon de Reya in front of a live audience from the firm. They are joined by three special guests: Anthony Julius, who served as Prof Lipstadt's lawyer, James Libson, Managing Partner at Mishcon who was a junior on the case, and Deborah Lipstadt herself.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:39:46 GMT

This week, the Supreme Court passed its judgment on the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers. The case challenged the assumed definitions of 'man' and 'woman' in the Equality Act 2010 and has provoked considerable commentary. The Supreme Court's verdict – delivered by Lord Hodge – appears to have vindicated the the campaigning of For Women Scotland, and other 'gender critical' organisations, beliefs about the primacy of biological sex. But could the verdict have unintended consequences? And where does this leave the beleaguered trans community? Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer discuss.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barbara Mills KC: Raising the Bar

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Our guest today, Barbara Mills KC, is the new Chair of the Bar Council, the first black woman to hold this post in the organisation's 131-year history. She is also one of the few family lawyers to assume this role, giving her a unique perspective of the challenges facing barristers in the present moment. She joins the Law & Disorder trio – Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer – for a conversation about the state of play in our legal system, and whether more can be done to ensure the best possible application of the law across the board.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Charlotte Proudman v the Old Boys' Club

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Our special guest on today's episode of Law & Disorder is Dr Charlotte Proudman, a family law barrister, campaigner, and author of a new book, He Said She Said: Truth, Trauma and the Struggle for Justice in Family Court. In this interview, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer explore Charlotte's history with the law, some of her most striking cases, and the key question of whether the bar is still a fundamentally misogynistic institution.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Life and Times of Sir Brian Leveson

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Sir Brian Leveson has been one of the most publicly prominent legal minds of the 21st century. From his early days prosecuting the likes of Ken Dodd and Rose West, Sir Brian became a household name when he chaired the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press. In this wide-ranging interview, he talks to Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer about his career, whether we need a Leveson Part Two, and his new role looking into the ongoing crisis in Britain's courts system.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Criminal Cases Backlog

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Our courts are in crisis, with a sentencing backlog stretching to unthinkable lengths. To discuss this issue, the Law & Disorder trio are joined by Alex Chalk KC, who was Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice until the summer, and Lord Thomas, a former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. They are proposed a radical new programme for dealing with this backlog, involving slimming down the trial process for more minor offences. Could this clear the backlog? Or does it risk jeopardising our jury-based justice system? As ever, Helena Kennedy, Charlie Falconer and Nicholas Mostyn are on-hand to ask the questions.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailbag: Trump, tax and tenuous tidbits

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 06:14:00 GMT

It's time for the Law and Disorder crew – Nicholas Mostyn, Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy – to plunge into the Mailbag once again and answer your correspondence. You've been appalled by Donald Trump's desecration of the rules-based order, delighted by Dan Neidle's forensic tax analysis, and otherwise moved to correspond on a wide range of issues. As ever, do keep the emails coming – we love to hear from you!

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House of Lords Reform

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 06:30:00 GMT

With two upper chamber inhabitants amongst our hosting roster, it seems only right that the Law and Disorder crew discuss reform to the House of Lords. Lord Falconer, Baroness Kennedy and (meagre) Sir Nicholas are joined by Tom Strathclyde, 2nd Baron Strathclyde, to interrogate the purpose of our unelected chamber and whether, after a 27-year grace period, the last hereditary peers might, finally, be headed for the door. This is a rambunctious debate, conducted in good/high spirits and the editor has done his earnest best to eliminate as much cross-talk as possible!

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Flight of the Tate Brothers

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 18:22:55 GMT

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been accused of serious crimes – including trafficking – in Romania, where they lived and have spent the past 2 years under a travel ban. Yet, this week the brothers flew to Florida after Romanian authorities returned their passports. Does this mean they will evade justice? How did the Romanian legal system allow this to happen? And what does this tell us about the further degradation of the rule of law in the United States under President Trump? Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn convene (during their half-term break) to discuss this worrying story.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Collapse of the Rules-Based Order

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 06:15:00 GMT

This week has seen further desecrations of the established order, led by President Trump, whose remarks about Russia and Ukraine have sent shockwaves across Europe and the world. Is the rules-based order collapsing? And can the law stand strong in the face of raw power being exerted so recklessly? Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer convene to discuss an historic, and depressing, week.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel and the Occupied Territories

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 06:00:00 GMT

On this episode of Law & Disorder we welcome back Kenneth Roth, the distinguished former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch and author of the new book Righting Wrongs. Alongside Helena Kennedy, Charlie Falconer and Nicholas Mostyn, Professor Roth talks through the fraught legal situation surrounding the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and whether there's a resolution on the horizon.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Neidle v Nadhim Zahawi

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 06:04:00 GMT

Dan Neidle – poacher turned gamekeeper (although not in his own estimation) – has gone from Head of Tax at Clifford Chance to the scourge of tax shy plutocrats. He joins this week's Law & Disorder to sit down with Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer and discuss his successes in revealing the dodgy dealings of a former-Chancellor of the Exchequer, as well as a certain Italian jockey. In the process, he has changed the standards of modern lawyering and become one of Britain's most effective campaigners.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anonymity of Judges

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 06:00:00 GMT

When the full, horrific details of the treatment of Sara Sharif, which culminated in her tragic death, came to light, an order was made to anonymised the family judges who had allowed her to return to her father's custody. The decision shocked the legal word and has been appealed by journalists and broadcasters, including Louse Tickle and Hannah Summers, who join Law & Disorder to discuss their case in the Court of Appeal, and whether judges should ever be granted anonymity as a protective measure.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump and the Law

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 12:25:42 GMT

Donald Trump is back in the White House after his historic re-election in November. At his inaugural speech this week, he laid out a manifesto for reinventing America, starting with some fundamental changes to the way that the law operates in the United States. What does he mean? Can he does this? And will the courts intervene? From denying asylum claims to changing America's established views on gender, President Trump is ploughing a controversial furrow. To discuss this, Nicholas Mostyn and Helena Kennedy are joined by David D. Cole, National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Financial Remedies on Divorce

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 06:00:33 GMT

Hot off the presses, the Law Commission has produced a new report on the financial remedies available to divorcing couples. The Law & Disorder trio – Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer – are joined by Professor Nick Hopkins, the report's commissioner, and Holly Symonds, a barrister specialising in family law, to discuss how the law can evolve to help ensure more equitable separations.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sara Sharif

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 05:30:00 GMT

In 2023, a 10-year-old girl named Sara Sharif was murdered by her father and stepmother, the culmination of longstanding abuse she received. This week, verdicts were passed down in court, but, along with the findings, serious questions have been raised. Could the courts have done more to prevent Sara being left in such a transparently violent environment? What do we do when the apparent rights of the parents and children collide? And should the judge who placed Sara back with her father be named? Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer gather for this emergency episode of Law & Disorder.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Racism and the Law

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 06:21:22 GMT

On this week's episode of Law & Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer are joined in the House of Lords by Martin Forde KC, a veteran barrister and former recorder, to discuss the role that race plays in the criminal justice system. Martin discusses his own experiences as a black British lawyer, and the crew piece through David Lammy's 2017 report into the disastrous outcomes for people of colour in our courts and beyond.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ICC Warrants Against Benjamin Netanyahu

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 06:00:57 GMT

This week we have a special episode recorded immediately after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants against both leaders of Hamas and, more strikingly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. To discuss this, we've dialled up Kenneth Roth, an expert in international law and former executive director of Human Rights Watch. Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer probe him on whether Israel can meaningfully be accused of genocide or other war crimes and human rights abuses, while Helena Kennedy recounts her experiences as part of the advisory panel that recommended bringing these warrants against Mr Netanyahu.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Assisted Dying Debate

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 06:00:38 GMT

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – better know as the Assisted Dying Bill – will soon be debated in Parliament. It draws heavily from a previous bill proposed by Law & Disorder co-host Charlie Falconer, who, on this episode of the podcast, debates the ins and outs of Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's bill with his co-anchors, Nicholas Mostyn and Helena Kennedy. Nicholas thinks the bill doesn't go far enough; Helena is concerned about a slippery slope. Where do you stand on this fraught, important issue? Listen and let us know!

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailbag: interim measures, incitement and inequality (in speaking time!)

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 06:00:32 GMT

It's time, once again, to crack open the mailbag and see what listeners have made of episodes over the past few months. In this mailbag edition, Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn look back on episodes such as the chinwag with Lord Sumption on the ECHR, the questions raised by the prosecution of rioters in the summer, and the NDA agreements foisted upon the alleged victims of Mohamed Al-Fayed. We'll cover all that, and more, on this episode – and don't forget to send more questions, thoughts and criticisms for inclusion in future mailbag editions!

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump vs the Rule of Law

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 06:00:55 GMT

This week, we can't help but tackle the news story on everyone's lips: the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. For an emergency episode, Nicholas Mostyn convenes with Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy to look at the implications for the rule of law and America's position as a beacon of the free world.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Court of Protection

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 06:00:41 GMT

The proceedings of the Court of Protection are not widely known or understood, but could, one day, prove of vital importance to you and your family. On this episode of Law and Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn introduces Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy to Vikram Sachdeva KC, a specialist in healthcare law with long experience of the Court of Protection, to discuss how the tricky issues of mental capacity, mental health and the intervention of the state can be handled.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EMERGENCY: The Shooting of Chris Kaba

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 05:00:02 GMT

This week, a jury found Sergeant Martyn Blake, a Metropolitan police armed officer, not guilty of the murder of Chris Kaba. Kaba had been shot after police pulled over the car he was driving, which had been linked to a shooting incident. After the verdict, information has been released about Kaba's criminal record and suspected involvement in a gun crime in Hackney. The fallout has asked severe questions of our legal system. Do police officers require more legal protection to do their jobs properly? Are juries too quick to protect emergency services workers? Why was Kaba's criminal record not submitted as evidence? And are the tabloids over-reacting to this week's disclosures? Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer look the case over before Helena Kennedy joins to give the criminal lawyer's perspective.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we leave the ECHR? With Jonathan Sumption

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 05:00:52 GMT

Jonathan Sumption – one of Britain's foremost legal voices – joins Law & Disorder again, this time for a good ding dong. Should the UK withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (and its associated court)? Sumption goes head-to-head with a trio of critics – Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy, and Charlie Falconer – on this week's episode the gets to the heart of the balance between sovereignty and accountability, legislation versus the law, and what a 'human right' truly is.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Crimes of Mohamed Al-Fayed

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 05:15:49 GMT

Over the past few weeks, new investigations have turned up a range of serious allegations against Mohamed Al-Fayed, the former owner of Harrods and Fulham FC. How does a man like Al-Fayed – about whom rumours were never far away – manage to go unchecked within his lifetime? What recompense can the law offer his victims? And is there more that the system can, and should, do in order to ensure perpetrators of abuse are brought to justice while they can still be held, personally, to account? Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer gather to discuss.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hong Kong with Jonathan Sumption

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:00:50 GMT

Our guest today – Jonathan Sumption – sat, until June of this year, as a Non-Permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. He left that role – "in high dudgeon" – as a critique of the creeping totalitarianism of pro-Beijing influences in the east Asian territory. In this wide-ranging discussion with Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer, Lord Sumption discusses how he came to that decision and looks at how the remaining British judges ought to handle their continued work in the region.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Law of Yore: Caroline Norton

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 05:00:30 GMT

Caroline Norton was a sensation of 19th century London. A writer and social reformer, she hit the headlines in 1836 when she accused her husband, George Norton, of coercive behaviour. What proceeded was a legal case that embroiled the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, and, in some ways, changed women's place in the law. But how much did Norton really achieve? And has the dust really settled on women's equality in marriage? For a special dive into the past, join Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer in the time machine for a journey back to Victorian England.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James, John and the evolution of homosexuality and the law, with Chris Bryant MP

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 05:22:19 GMT

James Pratt and John Smith: the last two men to be executed in Britain for the crime of homosexuality. It is a story recounted by politician and historian Chris Bryant in his book James and John: A True Story of Prejudice and Murder. But how far has the law come since the 19th century? Was the image that Charles Dickens painted the truth? And how did feminist historian Naomi Wolf come to misunderstand the term "death recorded"? These, and many more, issues will be tackled in this episode of Law & Disorder, where Nicholas Mostyn, Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy look at Britain's dark, and homophobic, legal history.

This episode was generously sponsored by Harbottle & Lewis.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, pelase do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prisons Crisis, with Ian Burnett

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 05:00:34 GMT

Britain's prisons are in crisis. In the past week, we've seen the early release of some 1,500 prisoners in order to free up space in our nation's jails. But how did we get here? On this week's Law & Disorder, Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn are joined by Ian Burnett, who served as Lord Chief Justice from 2017 to 2023. They have a candid and critical discussion about the state of our prisons, the nature of sentencing (and sentence inflation), and whether there are any remedies to hand.

If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, pelase do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emergency: Prosecuting Disorder

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:10:40 GMT

The streets of the UK have been gripped by disorder. Fuelled by racist rhetoric, rioters have taken to the streets from Southport to Bristol and the criminal justice system is now facing the huge task of processing these criminals and re-establishing order. Can quick sentencing decisions offer a deterrent to further unrest? How are prosecution decisions being made? And can anything be done about the large social media institutions that foment so much of this violence? Charlie Falconer leads Nicholas Mostyn and Helena Kennedy through the grim realities facing the UK, in this emergency episode of Law & Disorder.

For inclusion in our next mailbag edition, do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Extradition

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 04:44:33 GMT

Extradition goes back a long way, in principle, but the modern application is complex. What are the grounds for refusing extradition? How has Brexit changed our relationship with European countries? And why is our relationship with America so asymmetrical? This week on Law & Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer romp through the history extradition via three case studies. Firstly, the failed attempt to send Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet to face trial in Spain. Then, the US attempt to extradite hacker Gary McKinnon to face espionage charges. And finally – and most topically – the long saga of Julian Assange.

For inclusion in our next mailbag edition, do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The King's Speech

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 05:35:25 GMT

On the 17th July, the new Labour government enjoyed their first King's Speech. In it, they put forward dozens of bills for consideration in this parliamentary session. But do those commitments get to grips with the necessary constitutional changes in our system? And do they address the years of decay and debasement of the Rule of Law, experienced under the previous governments? Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn discuss.

For inclusion in our next mailbag edition, do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big Money Divorce

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 05:23:50 GMT

Divorce is a complex business, especially when the participants are part of the mega-rich elites who spend millions quibbling over the balance and share of assets and proceedings. Our guide, this week, through the maze of monied marital misery is Tim Bishop KC, one of the UK's leading specialists in top-level financial cases on divorce. Alongside Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer, he talks us through the evolution of British marriage law, what protections there are for spouses, and whether the legal quagmire of the wealthy has applications across the socio-economic spectrum.

For inclusion in our next mailbag edition, do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mailbag

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 05:19:41 GMT

It's time for us to open up the mailbag and see what Law & Disorder listeners have made of the first six months of the show's existence. From the right to protest to the right to die, Liz Truss to Amber Heard, your questions run the gamut of the topics covered in the podcast. Should we televise courts? How badly did Charlie screw the pooch on his Lord Chancellor reforms? And are we all really just a bunch of whinging lefties? Listen to our mailbag and find out more!

For inclusion in our next mailbag edition, do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Libor Trials

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Libor: a little known, or understood, mechanism by which banks set an interest rate average. It became headline news when, in the crucible of the financial crisis, the practitioners were accused of rigging the rate to inflate public perceptions of their banks' health. But was all as it seemed? And were the traders – men like Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo – who carried the can for Libor rigging, really just scapegoats? In this joint podcast with A Long Time in Finance, Nicholas Mostyn and Helena Kennedy ask whether a miscarriage of justice was administered in the pursuit of retribution on a broken financial system.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A History of the Franchise

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 05:40:25 GMT

With the UK heading to the polls next week, the Law & Disorder trio – Helena Kennedy, Charlie Falconer and Nicholas Mostyn – gather to discuss the long and difficult history of the franchise. From votes for renters to the struggles of minorities to gain recognition in the UK and abroad, the journey to our current electorate was a long and winding one. Do you know your rotten boroughs from your potwallopers? Tune in to this instalment of Law & Disorder to find out!

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Legal History of Slavery

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 05:18:01 GMT

Britain has a long and complex history with slavery. From medieval villeinage through to the African slaves brought to the colonies, has the country truly reckoned with its role in perpetrating one of the great evils in humanity's history? In this episode of Law & Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer run through our fraught history with the slave trade, and ask whether the abolition movement was quite as pure as the history books say. Then they tackle the thorny questions of reparations and affirmative action, as the implications of slavery move into their modern context.

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Climate Change in the European Court of Human Rights

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 05:11:31 GMT

A landmark ruling in the European Court of Human Rights has allowed a claim from a Swiss activist group who asserted that their country's government had been inadequate in its attempt to reduce carbon emissions. They told the court that their age and gender (they are a group of older women) made them more susceptible to the impacts of climate-induced heatwaves, and the ECHR agreed. Does this open a big can of worms? Or are we witnessing a flexible interpretation of the law that could help the cause of climate justice? With Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn gathered to discuss, expect fireworks!

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Protest

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 04:06:32 GMT

The right to protest is fundamental to any democracy, and yet, in recent years, it feels as though the Conservative government is strangling that ability. For this episode of Law & Disorder, the gang – Helena Kennedy, Charlie Falconer and Nicholas Mostyn – are joined by a very special guest, Raj Chada, in order to look at the evolving picture of protest in our courts. From the Colston Four to Trudi Warner, some of the biggest cases of recent years are scrutinised by the team.

This podcast was generously sponsored by Hodge Jones and Allen.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emergency Pod: Donald Trump is Guilty!

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 09:52:53 GMT

In an historic decision, a court in New York has convicted former President (and current Presidential candidate) Donald Trump on 34 counts in a so-called "hush money" case. What exactly was the court's decision? Does it hold up, to the legal eye, and will it survive appeal? And what does it mean for the course of the Rule of Law? As ever, Charlie Falconer, Nicholas Mostyn and Helena Kennedy gather round their computers to give the legal breakdown on this landmark ruling.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emergency Pod: The Infected Blood Scandal

Fri, 31 May 2024 06:43:18 GMT

This week, we're convening an emergency pod to look at the publication of Sir Brian Langstaff's report into the infected blood scandal, in which thousands of Brits were given contaminated blood containing the HIV or Hepatitis C viruses. How was this allowed to happen? Does the report come close to capturing the scale of the problem? And is there a course for reparations, or criminal penalties, or has the ship sailed on this? As ever, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer gather to discuss.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harvey Weinstein and the Legacy of #MeToo

Sat, 25 May 2024 04:18:53 GMT

On this week's Law and Disorder, Helena, Nicholas and Charlie gather to discuss the recent decision of a New York court to overturn the conviction of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. How did this decision – which has shaken faith in the legal system's ability to handle the gravity of the MeToo movement's concerns – come about? And could the same thing happen in UK courts? As ever, the conversation slaloms through the history of courts dealing with sexual assault and rape allegations, and considers the balance of prejudicial and probative information.

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Migration

Sat, 18 May 2024 04:36:24 GMT

This week, Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer set the sights on the UK's legal migration rules. Are we making it too hard for low-wage (or low-skilled) workers to move to the UK with their families? And how does this fit in with the complex political puzzle that is the 'stop the boats' campaign? Is this truly a question for the law, or really one of policy? Join us, listen along, and decide!

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Public Inquiries

Sat, 11 May 2024 05:00:33 GMT

From the Widgery inquiry into Bloody Sunday to Lord Hutton's inquiry into the death of Dr David Kelly, public inquiries are a key part of British legal and political life. On this week's episode of Law & Disorder, Charlie guides Nicholas and Helena through the history of inquiries, and questions how the work. Are they too slow? Do they provide answers that would be unavailable through a criminal trial? And what does the future hold for ongoing inquiries, like Grenfell and covid?

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judges

Sat, 04 May 2024 05:22:20 GMT

Judges have been part of Britain's legal bedrock for many years. While they were often seen as operators bendable to the political will, they are now a key and independent part of the system. But is that under threat? In this episode of Law and Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn (himself a judge, until last year) along with Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer discuss the role of judges, their freedom from political interference, and whether the judiciary is insufficiently diverse to provide true justice.

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rights of the Unmarried

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 05:00:51 GMT

On this week's episode of Law & Disorder, we're looking at the rights of unmarried people in the British legal system. What difference does it make for long-term, cohabiting couples whether they're married or not? Well, quite a lot it turns out. From common-law marriages on desert islands (not Bali, though) to Australia's bonza equiparation developments, this is a forensic look at how the legal system supports – or fails to support – those who don't enter the institution of marriage.

Hosted by Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer.

This podcast is generously sponsored by Expatriate Law.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hate Speech

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 05:00:48 GMT

The question of what can and cannot be said has dogged lawyers and lawmakers for centuries, but has found new life in recent months as Scotland grapples with this question. On this week's Law & Disorder, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer discuss the evolution of our laws around hate crimes, hate speech and what can be done to protect marginalised groups from further harassment.

This podcast is generously sponsored by Tideway Wealth.

Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Human Rights Act

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 05:30:53 GMT

The Human Rights Act has become something of a hot topic within the political establishment. Is it a symbol of European overreach into the British courts? Or is it an important part of how our legal system safeguards individual rights? That's the topic that Helena Kennedy, Charlie Falconer and Nicholas Mostyn tackle on this week's episode of Law and Disorder. Do send your own thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SLAPPs and SLAPPers

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 06:21:32 GMT

SLAPPs: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These are the cases pursued, often by the super wealthy – from James Goldsmith and Robert Maxwell, to Mohamed Al-Fayed and Barbra Streisand – in order to suppress or intimidate those who act against their interests. In this episode of Law and Disorder, Nicholas, Helena and Charlie sit down and sort through the history of SLAPPs, name and shame the SLAPPERs-in-Chief, and ask whether there's anything that can be done about these abuses of our legal system.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Open Justice

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 05:06:06 GMT

How transparent should our judicial processes be? From televising court cases to debating anonymity in the family courts, this episode of Law and Disorder runs the gamut of issues surrounding "open justice". With Nick, Helena and Charlie on punchy form, expect sparks to fly over the history of our system's openness, all the way to Depp v Heard.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prisons in Crisis

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 06:30:09 GMT

On this week's episode of Law & Disorder, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn and Charlie Falconer are gathering to discuss a crisis in the prisons system. With numbers of inmates pushing Britain's prisons to the absolute limit and conditions often failing to meet basic standards, do we need to rethink custodial sentencing? Or could the problem simply be solve by building more prisons?

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Juries on Trial

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 06:17:28 GMT

On today's episode of Law and Disorder, we're discussing juries. A new Channel 4 reality TV show has shone light on the fragility of verdicts that come through jury trials – but how illustrative was that entertainment experiment? And if juries really are in need of renovation, what alternatives can the courts offer? As ever, Helena Kennedy, Charlie Falconer and Nicholas Mostyn hammer out the issues, taking the legal history all the way back to 1660 to deliver their judgment.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assisted Dying

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 06:05:49 GMT

The right to die is a question that has been puzzled over for decades, by legal minds, politicians, faith leaders and almost every other member of society. With assisted dying returning to the news this week, Law & Disorder takes a look at the legal and ethical implications of Britain's current laws, and asks whether there's a better way. With Charlie having introduced the 2014 Assisted Dying Bill to the House of Lords, he's an expert guide through this complex and emotive subject matter.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Libel: Vardy vs Rooney

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 06:00:06 GMT

On today's episode of Law & Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Charlie Falconer and Helena Kennedy are back and this week they're discussing the thorny issue of libel. Are British courts too quick to allow expensive litigation that clogs up the courts, insufficiently redresses reputational damage or allows the wealthy to bully dissenters? We're exploring this through the prism of one of the most high-profile legal cases of recent years: Rebekah Vardy's libel case against Coleen Rooney, the so-called 'Wagatha Christie' trial.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emergency Pod: The Shamima Begum Case

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 17:35:50 GMT

Today, the Court of Appeal ruled that Shamima Begum – the young woman who, 9 years ago, left the UK to join the Islamic State – has lost her appeal against the government's decision to strip her of her British citizenship. Nicholas, Charlie and Helena gather for this emergency podcast to discuss the implications of this decision, how the courts deal with statelessness, and what options remain for a woman seemingly condemned to spend the rest of her life in refugee camps.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Harry's Privacy

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 05:30:56 GMT

On this week's episode of Law and Disorder, we're looking at Prince Harry's legal action against the Mirror Group Newspapers. How have our perspectives on the right to privacy changed over the years? What are the landmark lawsuits that have shaped the relationship between the media and those under their spotlight? And, now that phone hacking is in the rearview mirror, how do we avoid future intrusions being made by the press? Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer are, as ever, your guides through these issues.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Post Office Scandal

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 06:00:00 GMT

On this week's episode of Law & Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer are discussing a topic that has been, unexpectedly, at the centre of British political debate over the past months: the scandalous treatment of the Post Office's sub-postmasters following faults with the Horizon computer system. After ITV's Mr Bates vs the Post Office brought the saga to a mainstream audience, it's time to ask important questions of a legal establishment that facilitated this miscarriage of justice. How was it allowed to happen? Who was responsible? And will anyone – from the Post Office to Fujitsu to government – be held accountable?

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Law in Gaza

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 05:30:49 GMT

On this week's Law & Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer are gathering to discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza. What rules – and laws – govern conduct in war? Would a court deem Israel's response to the horrors of October 7th as proportional? And what precedent is there for holding leaders to account for the decision to employ force?

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rwanda Bill

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 06:04:00 GMT

The Rwanda Bill will return to Parliament in the coming days, the latest chapter in its controversial existence. On this week's Law and Disorder, Nicholas Mostyn, Helena Kennedy and Charlie Falconer look at the history of the bill and challenge its premise. Is Rwanda a safe country? And will Rishi Sunak's big bet on a hard immigration policy pay off? Or will the courts scupper his plans?

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rule of Law

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 06:00:22 GMT

Welcome to Law & Disorder, a new podcast that looks at what's happening in our world through the lens of the law. We are: Sir Nicholas Mostyn, recently retired High Court judge, Baroness Helena Kennedy, barrister and human rights campaigner, and Charlie Falconer, Labour peer and former Lord Chancellor. Together we will bring order, and a dollop of disorder, to proceedings. In this first episode, we'll be talking about the Rule of Law, the principle which underpins our democratic systems of government. Is it under threat? And, if so, what can be done to address the erosion of legal norms?

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing... Law and Disorder!

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 11:28:13 GMT

You're listening to Law and Disorder, a brand new weekly podcast looking at the biggest news stories of the day through the lens of the law. We are: Sir Nicholas Mostyn, recently retired High Court judge, Baroness Helena Kennedy, barrister and human rights campaigner, and Charlie Falconer, Labour peer and former Lord Chancellor. Together we will bring order, and a dollop of disorder, to proceedings.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

PR by Sally Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.