Law and Guidance Podcast with Sally Penni MBE, Barrister at Law

Season 2 of the Law and Guidance Podcast begins with a discussion between Dr Sally Penni MBE and Simon Spence KC on proposed reforms to the criminal justice system, particularly the partial abolition of jury trials. Simon Spence KC undertakes both prosecuting and defending crime across East Anglia and London. Before taking silk, he worked regularly as a leading junior and often led in high-profile cases. In 2008 he was the prosecution junior in the successful prosecution of Steve Wright, the man accused of murdering five Ipswich women.

In this episode of The Law and Guidance Podcast, Dr Sally Penni MBE interviews Dr Shaun Wallace and Tom Lyas.Dr Shaun Wallace has over 35 years’ experience as a senior criminal defence advocate. He is also an Honorary Doctor of Laws and a familiar face on TV as a ‘The Dark Destroyer’ on The Chase.Tom Lyas is Head of Resourcing at Browne Jacobson LLP and sits on the firms Diversity & Inclusion Board. He is passionate about social mobility, equal opportunities and breaking down career barriers.

Oliver is an experienced criminal advocate. He represents clients in the most serious and complex criminal cases. Prior to being called to the Bar, Oliver was a solicitor for 22 years and a Higher Courts Advocate for the last 10.​ Here he discusses "Disclosure rules in criminal cases" with Dr Sally Penni MBE

Dr Sally Penni MBE interviews Judge Rosa Dean, a member of the Sentencing Council since 2018, about the sentencing guidelines, in this episode of her Law and Guidance podcast. Judge Dean was recently appointed as a Senior Circuit Judge, Resident Judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court, after five years as Resident Judge at Harrow Crown Court. 

Michael Mansfield KC joins Dr Sally Penni MBE to discuss the law on Human Rights in her Law and Guidance podcast.Called to the Bar in 1967 and took silk in 1989, Michael has represented defendants in some of the most controversial legal cases including issues of Civil Liberties. His clients have included the families of the Hillsborough  victims, the family of Stephen Lawrence and the Birmingham Six.

This episode features Nina Grahame KC, a formidable criminal defence barrister called in 1993. She has spoken in the media many times about the Bar Strike and Dr Sally Penni MBE interviews her about the reasons for the protests, in our podcast.Nina has specialist expertise with cases involving vulnerable witnesses and complainants and is highly respected for her representation of defendants with complex mental health needs. She also lectures on a variety of topics, including cross-jurisdictional disclosure, joint enterprise and vulnerable defendants and is a mentor with the Association of Women Barristers.

Dr Sally Penni MBE interviews Michelle Heeley KC, the youngest ever leader of the Midlands Circuit. Michelle took Silk in 2017 as the youngest criminal silk in the country, is Deputy Head of the Crime Group, and also the Head of Advocacy Training for the Midland Circuit. She sits as a Recorder, holds a Serious Sexual Offences Certificate and is experienced in mentoring, promoting social mobility and inspiring women. Michelle shares her tips on advocacy in our podcast.

Sally Penni interviews expert Dr Abenaa Owusu-Bempah about the use of drill music as evidence and the prejudicial effect of this in criminal trials.Dr Abenaa Owusu-Bempah is an Assistant Professor of criminal law and criminal evidence at the London School of Economics. 

 Felicity Gerry is an international QC at Libertas Chambers, London and Crockett Chambers, Melbourne, largely defending in serious and complex criminal trials and appeals, often with an international element, recently defending three major terrorism trials including the Christmas Day bomb plot in Melbourne. Admitted to the list of counsel for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague and in England & Wales and in Australia (Victoria and the High Court Roll) and has had ad hoc admission in Hong Kong and Gibraltar. She led the appeal in R v Jogee in the UK Supreme Court which was described by the BBC as a ‘moment of genuine legal history’ , she is one of the few women silks to defend in a terrorism trial and led a team of academics and practitioners who were given leave to file an Amicus Curiae brief in the ICTY on JCEIII liability. She has also advised in relation to death penalty matters in Indonesia and the Philippines, on Australian citizens held in Syrian camps and on complicity in international cases involving torture.Felicity is  also Professor of Legal Practice at Deakin University where she lectures in MLL419/MLJ728 Contemporary International Legal Challenges – including Modern Slavery, Terrorism, War Crimes and Climate Change law and is involved in the clinical programs. She has a long history of cases and research on human trafficking / modern slavery.An interesting episode looking at the law and protests . 

Dr Marshall is a Psychiatrist woking in the Criminal Justice System. Here she talks to Sally Penni about mental health and young people .Dr Ruth Marshall - Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Clinical Director for CAMHS CSU, Royal Manchester Children’s HospitalAn outstanding expert appearing in many cases.

Joeli Brearley is the founder and CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed. She is also mother to Theodore and Jack. Joeli was sacked from her job when she was four months pregnant with her first child and ever since then she has been on a mission to raise awareness of discrimination and to help other women who are victims of discriminatory behaviour. 

Baroness Newlove is a Warrington-based community reform campaigner who was appointed as the Victims Commissioner  in 2012. Helen Newlove came to prominence after her husband,  was murdered by three youths in 2007.   After his death she set up a number of foundations that aimed to tackle the UK drinking culture as well as providing support to young people. She was given a peerage in the 2010 Dissolution Honours list and sits in the House of Lords.  Here she speaks to Sally Penni MBE

Jo became a Queen’s Counsel in 2015. He is the founder and director of Good Law Project, an independent not for profit which uses the law to protect the public interest, best known for its primary role in overturning the prorogation of Parliament and its successful judicial review against the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, for failing to publish Covid contracts.Jo has advised both the UK Government and Ed Miliband’s Labour Party on tax policy and is a leading thinker in the field. He is a regular contributor in the national media and has written extensively for the Financial Times, the Guardian and others. He is a former Chair of Gingerbread and the Fatherhood Institute.

In this episode we are joined by Emma Green from Green CDL talking about the Law and Cyber Security.

Iain Simkin was called to the bar in 1995 and specialises in regulatory law and serious crime. His practice focuses on health and Safety, environmental cases, inquests, professional discipline and serious crime. Iain is recognised as a leading consumer law and trading standards barrister. He is instructed by Local Authorities, as well as businesses and individuals. This ranges from breaches of Food Hygiene Regulations to Fraud, and covers all manner of investigations into businesses and traders. Renowned for his expertise across the range of regulatory cases; Iain is a first class advocate and lawyer who has been the first choice for many national and international companies. He has offered his specialised advice, proficiency in negotiation and excellent representation both before and after action has commenced. He is known as a robust advocate, and is highly praised for his modern and flexible approach. In serious crime he acts as a leading junior and counsel alone and regularly contests cases against silks. He is a category A prosecutor with a wide range of defending and prosecuting in regulatory cases. This has included representing a variety of clients for a variety of food hygiene matters.

Short introduction to the Penny Cooper Law and Guidance podcast

Dr Catherine White is an experienced forensic physician who has worked in forensicmedicine since 1995.  She specialises in examination of women, men and children followingan allegation of rape or sexual assault and takes a local, national and international lead inthe development, training and regulation of services for sexual assault victims /complainants.

This podcast covers: Negotiation.Leading a team (providing negative and positive feedback, setting a direction and empowering others); Being heard within a corporate structure.Communicating with clients.The importance of listening.Skilled Questioning.I am Catherine Brown, founder and director of Skilful Conversation Limited.I bring a fresh approach to coaching and training by combining nearly two decades of working with companies and individuals, initially as a practising barrister and, more recently, as a trainer and facilitator.My coaching philosophy is informed by my belief in the power and responsibility of the individual to bring about change in their professional and personal lives. I believe that coaching at its best is coaching at its simplest – a skilful, directed blend of conversation and silence. The skill coming in the coach’s ability to listen, to form and put appropriate questions in a supportive but challenging environment, to listen to and challenge the answers and to provide feedback.Against that background, I employ a collaborative and conversational style which allows my clients to stop and think and gives them the time and space in which they can express themselves, explore new ideas and develop their own solutions.

In this episode Sally Penni MBE Criminal Barrister of 20 years experience, Bartister at Kenworthys chambers Manchester and door tenant at 4BB Chambers, London  talks about the use of  intermediaries and and their use in the criminal courts and beyond. The law and guidance surrounding their use and when to use them. And discussing the case of R v Lubemba 2015. Sharing her practice with  Professor Penny Cooper is the Chair of TAG and is a visiting professor at the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research, University of London.  Penny researches and advises on the effective participation of witnesses and parties.

Welcome to our new series of podcasts by Sally Penni MBETalking about the law. Pure law and an explanation of the law in practice. Join me doing what I enjoy most. Talking about the law.