North East Law Review

What happens when the welfare system changes — and the people who rely on it are left uncertain about their future?In our latest episode, we speak with Hannah Cooper from Citizens Advice about the real challenges advisers are seeing on the front line. From the UK Government’s Pathways to Work disability Green Paper proposals to concerns about cuts to health-related benefits like Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit, the debate has sparked major controversy across the country. Hannah explains what these reforms could mean for disabled people, why charities warned they could push thousands further into poverty, and how advice services are helping people understand and challenge decisions.We’ll also hear how Citizens Advice Newcastle works to support local residents.Dr Neha Vyas from Newcastle Law School volunteers with the service and brings legal insight into the fight for fairer access to disability and health-related benefits.🎧 Listen now to hear the story behind the headlines — and the people working to protect the social safety net.

Bid rigging is a grave competition law infringement that significantly compromises public procurement by causing artificially inflated prices and preventing public authorities from securing the most advantageous terms for public funds. In this lecture series, join Dr Pinelopi Giosa as she takes us through a discussion based on her recently published monograph “Competition Law and Collusion in Public Procurement” (Routledge 2025). It utilises auction theory as a benchmark to assess how the design of the EU's public procurement system under Directive 2014/24/EU creates vulnerabilities to collusive practices.

In this episode, listen to Sâmela Pedrada Cardoso share insights into her research on Tupinikim spatiality, the body–territory relationship, memory, colonialism, and other compelling themes.

Join us for this episode as Newcastle PhD candidate Bernardo Carvalho de Mello offers a fascinating look into his research on discrimination in international human rights law, exploring how legal frameworks shape the lived experiences of marginalised communities.

In our newest episode, Professor Oles Andriychuk has a lively conversation about Competition Law with PhD Candidate Isaac Juma.

Join us for another episode of our Podcast. This episode's guest is Newcastle University PhD Candidate Isaac Juma, who explains what his research into Competition Law is, talks about Big Tech, data, privacy, and much more. You'll learn a lot!

Enjoy a quick conversation with Dr Tanya Krupiy, learn about her fabulous research on AI and Human rights, and get some advice on applying for a PhD.

Get to know more about the world of anti-heroes with our latest episode of the Northeast Law Review Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant Adam Rowe, a lecturer at Newcastle University whose research dances between Nietzschean philosophy, Napoleonic history, and the complexities of international law. Adam discusses his fascination with two towering figures: Friedrich Nietzsche and Napoleon Bonaparte—thinkers (and doers) who thrived in the tension between brilliance and controversy. In this captivating conversation, we explore: • How Nietzsche’s provocative ideas challenge the foundations of law and power. • Napoleon’s dual legacy as a system-builder and romantic anti-hero. •The enduring allure of historical rebels who reshape the world’s narrative. And, of course, Adam’s take on being an academic adventurer navigating critical theory, history, and the challenge of carving out a unique voice in the world of research. Stay tuned until the end for our playful word association game, where Adam reveals his quickfire takes on sovereignty, justice, and his dream of power (hint: it involves library control!). Ready for a thoughtful yet mischievous journey? Tune in now!

Dive into a riveting conversation with Víctor Cázares as he unravels the intricate dance between history and law, exploring how constitutions are more than just texts—they’re powerful, sometimes violent, catalysts for societal change. Discover the untold stories behind constitutional evolution as Víctor highlights the surprising connections between peacemaking and conflict and why history’s lessons are crucial for shaping the laws of tomorrow. Be captivated by Víctor’s innovative approach of using music and film to illustrate the dynamic and often tumultuous world of legal history, showing how artistic mediums can bring new insights into academic research.

In the last episode of season 3, Scarlett co-hosts with fellow third-year student, Josh Cela. They discuss the recent intellectual property case Lidl v Tesco with Professor Alison Firth, visiting lecturer at Newcastle. Alison's research includes IP law's interaction with other areas of law, such as contract, competition law, civil and criminal procedure.

In the second part of Shah Yaseen Ali's mini-series on governance at Newcastle University, Scarlett welcomes him back to host Nick Collins, who is the Executive Director of Finance. As current President of the Student Union, Yaseen asks questions about budgets and fees at Newcastle.

In this episode, Scarlett sits down with Larissa Hope-Rogers, Newcastle's University of Law Campus Manager. They discuss her career in practice and her experience with applications. Larissa also gives a very helpful insight into the LPC vs SQE debate.

In this episode Scarlett welcomes guest-host Shah Yaseen Ali to interview Simon Meacher, who is head of executive and governance at Newcastle University.

In this episode Scarlett discusses private law and teaching methods with Newcastle University lecturer, Dr Christine Beuermann. They discuss her new, unconventional, module, 'Private Law Remedies' and its success in its inaugural year.

The North East Law Review is back with a third season! In this introduction, host Scarlett sits down with Dr Ruth Houghton, academic lead for the NELR (and recent winner of Law Teacher of the Year at the 2023 Northern Law Awards). They discuss what is to come this season, and the future of the NELR.

Scarlett speaks with deputy head of the law school, Bryan Clark to discuss his area of research: mediation and dispute resolution. They also speak with international student and member of the mediation society, Winsome Chan, to discuss her success in national competitions and experiences in mediation.

Niamh and Scarlett speak with solicitor advocate and fellow podcaster Craig Mackenzie about his unconventional route into the law, his career highlights, and get a behind the scenes look into his podcast, ‘The Trial Advocate’s Playbook’. Craig’s podcast- https://open.spotify.com/show/4C5BFQpHXoxxaIF51A6d0A?si=19p83SdwTJySrS9aMqnPxA

TW: Rape; Sexual Assault; Sexual Violence; Homophobia Niamh and Scarlett sit down with Newcastle University PHD candidate Andrew Beetham to discuss the law on consent and the surrounding controversies. They discuss Andrew’s case comment on R v BM and relating case law. We would like to emphasise that this is a discussion on consent law only, we do not consider the other pertinent issues present in many of these cases, and comments should be taken only in the context of this law. Please get in touch should you wish to discuss this further. Andrew’s twitter is @AndrewBeetham3

In the first episode of this academic year, Niamh and Scarlett sit down with Newcastle University lecturer Beverley Smith to discuss her unconventional journey into the law. They also explore education techniques, A-levels, and Beverley’s various outreach projects

Welcome back to the NELR Podcast! After an extended break, Niamh and new co-host Scarlett are ready to talk to academics and professionals about their work, and are excited to see what students are going to bring to the podcast this year

In the final episode of the 2020/21 academic year, Matt and Niamh talk to Dr Funke Abimbola MBE, Newcastle Law School Alumni, about her career after law school, her work on diversity in the legal profession and non-traditional career paths following a law degree. Funke's website is below for more information: https://funkeabimbola.com/

Guest hosts Amy Jones and Izzy Ponsonby talk to Alexa Netty, Executive Director of SolidariTee about the refugee crisis and its intersection with the law. SolidariTee is the largest student-led charity fighting for sustainable change in the refugee crisis. They sell organic t-shirts for £12 with 100% of profits going towards sustainable legal aid, contact [email protected] or [email protected] to buy one or find out more! Or to keep up to date with their work visit https://www.solidaritee.org.uk/

Niamh and guest host Rozhin Shabbak talk to Dr Nikki Godden-Rasul about her research on Portraits of women in the law and Inspirational Women of the Law Event 2021. The full reference and link to the website is below. Godden-Rasul N., 'Portraits of women of the law: re-envisioning gender, law and the legal profession in law schools' [2019] 39(3) Legal Studies, 415 https://www.iwlaw.uk/ All information correct at time of recording, 07/05/2021

Guest hosts Max Chau and Maleka Akuany talk to Robin Taylor, Executive Director of Lawyers Without Borders. Lawyers Without Borders is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to advance global rule of law, build capacity and integrity in the world’s justice sectors and support transitions and development. (https://www.lawyerswithoutborders.org/contact) If you would like to get involved in the LWOB Newcastle Student Division, please email [email protected]

Matt and Niamh celebrate episode 10, by talking to Maya Ffrench Adam, former Newcastle Law School student who graduated in July 2020. They talk to Maya about life after law school, her research topic on Automatic Vehicle liability and her interest in competition law.

Guest Host Harri Thomas interviews Admiral Law Technical Director Michael Cordner. Michael talks about his career, what it's like being a manager of a legal team and the impact of COVID-19. Harri also asks Michael some quick-fire questions including a tricky rugby/football question for a born Englishman living in Wales!

Niamh and Matt talk to Newcastle Law School's Dr Sarah Morley about an interesting multidisciplinary piece of work she is leading called the Novel Beings Project. Sarah is specifically looking at the development of regulation to deal with novel beings such as Synthetic Genome Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. Check out the project's Twitter @novel_beings

Matt and Niamh talk to Kevin Crosby, senior lecturer at Newcastle University about his route to academia, his research on the Historical Development of the Jury Franchise and the future of the juries in the modern world. Check out the blog post we discussed below. https://lawandhistoryreview.org/article/the-jury-franchise-and-ideals-of-citizenship-in-interwar-britain/

In our first guest host episode, Ricky Pancholi debates with Dr Josh Jowitt, Libby Klinke, Thomas Desilva and Frank Anderson about whether the Law is Fair, Just and Reasonable. From Animal Rights, Black Lives Matter and COVID-19, this episode covers a wide range of topics that both law students and non-law students can enjoy.

Matt and Niamh speak to Emilie Coutin, a 2020 Newcastle University Law School graduate currently working in Denmark. Emilie was awarded the Pride of Newcastle University for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability & the Environment. The blog post we discussed is below: https://thehiveofscience.com/post.php?id=70&fbclid=IwAR2aJ3juFETg5bHQibWSx_XxxoxW7GF3cxgc5Tnjv8tjBPHOm9EXRCaxQfc Follow the blog on Twitter @hiveofscience

All information was correct at time of recording 11am, 7.12.20 Matt and Niamh discuss Brexit and Northern Ireland with Colin Murray, Reader in Public Law and Lecturer at Newcastle University. Follow the link below to access Colin's blog post https://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/brexit-constitutions-referendums/

Matt and Niamh discuss Competition Law with Dr David Reader, lecturer in EU and Competition Law at Newcastle University. Follow the link below to access Dave’s blog post https://competitionpolicy.wordpress.com/2018/02/08/why-national-security-concerns-are-unlikely-to-impede-the-melrose-gkn-takeover/

Matt and Niamh discuss the Overseas Operations Bill with Dr Conall Mallory, senior lecturer in Public Law and Human Rights at Newcastle University. Follow the link below to access Conall's blog post https://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2020/10/12/folk-heroes-villains-and-the-overseas-operations-bill-conall-mallory/

Welcome to the North East Law Review, a podcast set up by Law students, for Law students, where we talk to academics and legal professionals about their research and work.