The University of Law Podcast

In this episode of our "Inside the Case" podcast series, we dive deep into complex investigation of John Worboys, one of the UK’s most notorious serial sex offenders.Harriet Wistrich, the legal force who championed the victims of this serial sex offender, reflects on the initial failures in the case. She details how she pioneered a groundbreaking legal strategy using the Human Rights Act to sue the police for failing to investigate systemic crimes, took the fight all the way to a landmark victory in the Supreme Court and fundamentally rewrote the laws on police accountability in the UK."Inside the Case” is a powerful video podcast series by The University of Law and hosted by journalist Frances Gibb. It looks behind the scenes of some of the UK’s most significant criminal and constitutional legal battles. Each episode focuses on one high-profile trial, looking at the challenges in securing justice and the wider reverberations from the point of view of one of the key legal players involved.

In this episode of our "Inside the Case" podcast series, we speak with Lord David Pannick KC, the barrister who led the landmark constitutional challenges arising from Brexit and helped define the limits of executive power in the UK.Lord Pannick reflects on the historic Supreme Court cases known as Miller 1 and Miller 2, explaining how they reshaped the balance between government, Parliament and the judiciary during one of the most politically charged periods in recent history. He discusses the legal principles at stake, provides a rare behind-the-scenes insight into the courtroom drama, and explores the wider implications for the rule of law today.

In this episode, Alumni Manager Nic Ashton sits down with Lesley Kenny, a The University of Law alumna, who has built a global career in ethics and compliance, working across the UK and the United States.Lesley reflects on her journey from early roles in the civil service and the Serious Fraud Office to leading ethics programmes in international organisations. She shares insights into working across global teams, navigating legal qualifications abroad and offers her advice for students considering an international career path.

In this episode of our “Inside the Case” podcast series we speak with Paul Bowen KC, a leading practitioner in public and human rights law who acted for Tony Nicklinson in his right-to-die case and landmark legal battle. Paul discusses how he brought about the case, the challenges it faced through different levels of court and how he continued to act for Tony’s widow Jane after his passing in one of the most important right-to-die cases in recent legal history. "Inside the Case” is a powerful video podcast series by The University of Law and hosted by journalist Frances Gibb. It looks behind the scenes of some of the UK’s most significant criminal and constitutional legal battles. Each episode focuses on one high-profile trial, looking at the challenges in securing justice and the wider reverberations from the point of view of one of the key legal players involved.

In this episode, Alumni Manager Nic Ashton is joined by Martin Spiller. Martin is a Chartered Accountant and non-practising barrister whose career has spanned corporate finance, entrepreneurship and early-stage investing.Martin discusses what shaping long-term success looks like, as well as how he supports growing businesses, builds credibility as a trusted financial voice and uses initiatives like #FreeAdviceFriday to give back.

In this episode, Alumni Manager Nic Ashton is joined by Paul Loynes. Paul trained at Clifford Chance, worked as a partner at a major US law firm and now runs his own consultancy - Lemox Consulting.Paul shares insights from his varied career and reflects on the importance of mentoring. Drawing on his pro bono and mentoring experiences with our students in the pro bono advice clinics, he offers advice for students exploring careers in law, consulting and the evolving legal tech sector.

The second episode in our “Inside the Case” podcast series features an interview with William Clegg KC, a celebrated criminal defence Barrister who successfully defended Colin Stagg, the suspect in the 1994 trial for the murder of young mother Rachel Nickell out on Wimbledon Common.Mr Clegg recounts the unprecedented police tactics of entrapment which led to Colin Stagg being charged, and how a later unconnected case and DNA profiling advances finally revealed the identity of the true killer."Inside the Case” is a powerful new video podcast series by The University of Law and hosted by journalist Frances Gibb. It looks behind the scenes of some of the UK’s most significant criminal and constitutional legal battles. Each episode will focus on one high-profile trial, looking at the challenges in securing justice and the wider reverberations from the point of view of one of the key legal players involved.Trigger Warning: Please note the content does contain references to murder, violence and abuse.

In this episode, Alumni Manager Nic Ashton is joined by Baljinder Singh Atwal, Senior Commercial Lawyer with West Midlands Police, and Chair of Birmingham Law Society In-House Committee. Baljinder discusses his choice to move to West Midlands Police making the move In-house and the work that he does with the Birmingham Law Society raising awareness of the opportunity and variety of working in-house.

In this episode, Jo Lunnon is joined by Myria Anthony, who recently made the transition from the corporate sector to a career at the Bar. Bringing all the insights from her diverse professional background, Myria discusses the challenges of applying for pupillage, the role that networking played in shaping her journey and the strategies she used to prepare for applications and interviews.

Trigger Warning: Please note the content does contain references to murder and abduction.This inaugural episode features an interview with Brian Altman KC, the barrister who led the prosecution of serial killer Levi Bellfield for the abduction and murder of 13-year-old Milly Dowler.In a candid and detailed discussion with journalist Frances Gibb, Altman describes the professional and emotional weight of prosecuting one of "the most notorious cases of the past 20, 30 years". "Inside the Case” is a powerful new video podcast series by The University of Law and hosted by  journalist Frances Gibb. It looks behind the scenes of some of the UK’s most significant criminal and constitutional legal battles. Each episode will focus on one high-profile trial, looking at the challenges in securing justice and the wider reverberations from the point of view of one of the key legal players involved.  

In this episode, placements manager Sally Docherty is joined by students Sidra Mann and Anmol Sidhu about their transformative placement experiences. They discuss the skills they developed, the challenges they faced, and the best advice for current students about to take on their placement year.

In this podcast series our Head of Computer Science, Dr Paul Sant, is joined by a variety of guests within the technology sector to learn more about their journey and how AI is challenging the landscape in their industry.In this episode Elle Farrell-Kingsley, an AI ethics expert and youth policy advisor, shares her journey into the world of tech. She explains how she’s helping shape AI policy in the UK and beyond to make it safer, fairer, and more inclusive for the next generation.

In this podcast series our Head of Computer Science, Dr Paul Sant, is joined by a variety of guests within the technology sector to learn more about their journey and how AI is challenging the landscape in their industryIn this episode Patrick Grant, Associate Professor at The University of Law, talks about how he got into the legal technology and AI space and the work he is doing to help keep students at the forefront of the AI conversation.

Alex Chalk KC was Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary in the last Conservative Government. He is now a partner with international law firm, Jones Day. In this wide-ranging interview with journalist Frances Gibb, Alex discusses his views on sentencing in the UK and the role of the independent Sentencing Council in advising judges, how he supports a “Singapore on Thames” approach to embrace free trade and how he also favours the UK leading in reform of the European Court of Human Rights. "The Lord Chancellors: Where Politics meets Justice” is a video podcast series by The University of Law and hosted by the journalist Frances Gibb. It will examine the ancient post of Lord Chancellor, which is now combined with the role of Justice Secretary. The position holds the delicate balance of power between the judiciary and the executive, with special responsibility for maintaining the rule of law.

In this podcast series our Head of Computer Science, Dr Paul Sant, is joined by a variety of guests within the technology sector to learn more about their journey and how AI is challenging the landscape in their industryIn this episode Henry Warner, Senior Legal Engineer at Juro, talks about how his carer path and the diversity within the industry and how legal technology is creating efficiencies across various sectors.

David Gauke has held several key ministerial positions, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for justice, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Secretary of State for work and pensions. He has now been appointed by the Labour Government to recommend measures to tackle the prison crisis, with the final report due in May 2025.In this wide-ranging interview with journalist Frances Gibb, David discusses the current issues around prison overcrowding, his resignation from the Government in 2019 in opposition to Boris Johnson's Brexit strategy and about the change in politics both in the UK and worldwide."The Lord Chancellors: Where Politics meets Justice” is a video podcast series by The University of Law and hosted by the journalist Frances Gibb. It will examine the ancient post of Lord Chancellor, which is now combined with the role of Justice Secretary. The position holds the delicate balance of power between the judiciary and the executive, with special responsibility for maintaining the rule of law.  

In this podcast series our Head of Computer Science, Dr Paul Sant, is joined by a variety of guests within the technology sector to learn more about their journey and how AI is challenging the landscape in their industry.In this episode Hannah Claus, an AI and robotics enthusiast, talks about the importance of making the sector more diverse, her work with the Ada Lovelace Institute and her aim to ensure everyone is included when it comes to AI development.

Sir Robert Buckland, is a senior conservative politician and barrister. Under Boris Johnson he was made Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, a role he held until 2021, and oversaw the criminal justice system during the Covid 19 pandemic. As a backbencher and minister, he favoured reforms such as increased prison sentences for grooming gangs and better protections for victims of crime. In this wide-ranging interview with journalist Frances Gibb, Sir Robert champions the importance of jury trials, calls for reforms to murder and manslaughter classification to introduce ‘second degree murder and also condemns the current assisted dying bill as “unworkable” and urges an overhaul of the Ministry of Justice."The Lord Chancellors: Where Politics meets Justice” is a new video podcast series launched by The University of Law and hosted by the journalist Frances Gibb. It will examine the ancient post of Lord Chancellor, which is now combined with the role of Justice Secretary. The position holds the delicate balance of power between the judiciary and the executive, with special responsibility for maintaining the rule of law. 

Jack Straw was Home Secretary under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2001; Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006 and then Justice Secretary/Lord Chancellor from 2007 to 2010 under Gordon Brown. The member of Parliament for Blackburn for 36 years until 2015, he was only one of three individuals to have served in Cabinet continuously during the Labour governments from 1979 to 2010.In this wide ranging interview with journalist Frances Gibb, Jack Straw talks about the current issues facing the justice system, current foreign affairs and how he spends his time now."The Lord Chancellors: Where Politics meets Justice” is a video podcast series launched by The University of Law and hosted by the journalist Frances Gibb. It will examine the ancient post of Lord Chancellor, which is now combined with the role of Justice Secretary. The position holds the delicate balance of power between the judiciary and the executive, with special responsibility for maintaining the rule of law. The podcast series comes after last year’s successful first series, "The Judges: Power, Politics and the People", also available on all major podcast streaming platforms.

In this episode, recent alumnus Ben Weisz is joined by Leah Vaghela, co-founder of My Law Solicitors and a specialist in employment law. Leah studied her LLB and LPC at the University.Leah discusses the reasons behind setting up her own firm, managing her career whilst raising children, and how sitting down for an extra hour with a client can sometimes be the answer to winning a case. 

A senior politician and former Justice Secretary, Michael Gove, delivers a blistering attack on the whole criminal justice system as badly managed - from the police service through to the courts. Michael Gove's comments come in an interview on our new podcast series, “The Lord Chancellors: Where Politics meets Justice” hosted by journalist Frances Gibb.It will examine the ancient post of Lord Chancellor, which is now combined with the role of Justice Secretary. The position holds the delicate balance of power between the judiciary and the executive, with special responsibility for maintaining the rule of law. The new podcast series comes after last year’s successful first series, “The Judges: Power, Politics and the People".  

In this episode, LLB student Alex Gill talks with Psychology lecturer Dr Jonny Dudley who shares his journey into the field of forensic psychology. Jonny shares insight into his previous studies and work within the prison system and what he learnt through the experience; explains what forensic psychology is all about; and the advice he would give students interested in studying psychology, the transferable skills to be gained and career paths available.

When he was Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer was responsible for ushering in constitutional reforms that abolished the role of Lord Chancellor as head of the judiciary; set up a Supreme Court and a judicial appointments commission. The changes were hugely controversial at the time - not least because judges were not consulted on them in advance. Lord Falconer’s comments come in an interview on our new podcast series, “The Lord Chancellors: Where Politics meets Justice” hosted by journalist Frances Gibb.It will examine the ancient post of Lord Chancellor, which is now combined with the role of Justice Secretary. The position holds the delicate balance of power between the judiciary and the executive, with special responsibility for maintaining the rule of law. The new podcast series comes after last year’s successful first series, “The Judges: Power, Politics and the People". 

In this episode, LPC/SQE Programme & Student Lead, Elizabeth Farrell, is joined by LLM student Andy Lee who shares his experience of studying for the SQE 1 exam having passed with one of the highest scores. Andy discusses the structure of the exams, his preparation, what he learnt from the process and advice he would give to students beginning their SQE studies.

In celebration of Dyslexia Awareness Month, in this episode Student Learning Development Manager for neurodiversity, Ruth Le Duc, is joined by Senior Lecturer Andrew Grice, who shares his story to becoming an entrepreneur and lecturer, and provides some tips and key learning resources. Despite leaving school early and eventually getting a diagnosis for dyslexia when he was an adult, Andrew returned to academia and now advocates for more awareness around neurodivergence so education can be accessible for everyone.

In this episode, Mental Health Advisor Jessica Massie is joined by LLB student Susana Kyei, who shares her experience as an international student. Despite initial nerves, Susana joined multiple societies and founded the Women in Suits Society, which celebrates women in law. Susana reflects on moving to a new country, managing her studies, making friends and why you should always go for it.

In this episode, Head of Pro Bono Amanda Crutchley is joined by SQE student Andrew Lee to discuss obtaining qualifying work experience (QWE).Andrew and Amanda talk about what QWE entails and share advice and tips on securing work experience and what to expect when applying.

In this episode, Clubs and Society coordinator Emily Lewis is joined by BPC student Joy Elson, who currently works as a Legally Qualified Disability Advocate for social enterprise, PIP Professionals. Joy shares her journey to studying law, achieving the Anthony Walker and CPS Scholarships, and how this inspired her to a career in law and promoting diversity and inclusion.

In this episode, LLB student Alex Gill, is joined by our Head of Computer Science, Dr Paul Sant, to discuss his role, his passion for computer science and the different career opportunities studying computer science can bring. 

In this episode, Fintech Commercial Lawyer Shubby Osoba is joined by Zardine Collins, a Digital Business Affairs Manager for Sony Music Publishing. Zardine shares her journey to working at one of the biggest music publishers having studied the LPC at the University.

In this episode, Mental Health Advisor Jessica Massie, is joined by current LLM Legal Practice student Meg Kelly, to discuss her studies and journey into law to date and how she has become involved in the legal mentoring charity, Grow. 

In this episode Moorgate Campus Dean, Aruna Verma, is joined by Zia Ullah, Financial Crime Partner and Co-Global Head of the Corporate Crime & Investigations Group at corporate law firm, Eversheds Sutherland.They discuss his journey from being a student at The University of Law to becoming a Partner and what he learnt along the way.

In this episode, LLB student Alex Gills is joined by John Watkins, Director of Employability.John shares his advice for students starting out in their careers, the services and support the University's Employability Team offers, and what he would take with him to a desert island.

In this episode, PGDL student Ben Weisz is joined by Trevor Sterling, Senior Partner at law firm Moore Barlow, and Chair of their personal injury and clinical division. Trevor discusses his journey to law and becoming the first black Senior Partner at a top 100 law firm; the challenges he's faced and why doing a daily Rubik's cube is an essential everyday activity for him.

Leading lawyers and former judges take part in a debate to discuss the main themes of our The Judges: Power, Politics and the People podcast series, which includes interviews with several former Lord Chief Justices and presidents of the Supreme Court. Featuring:Dame Elizabeth Gloster Lord Grabiner, KC The Rt Hon. The Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, as part of the landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades – those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers? 

In this episode, Emily Lewis is joined by LPC online student and mum of three, Hannah Watts. Hannah shares her experiences and tips around juggling work with studying and looking after her children, and what inspired her to go back into education to become a lawyer. 

In this episode, Zoe Amar, alumna and founder of the social enterprise Zoe Amar Digital, is joined by Alex Fraser Legacy Management Specialist solicitor at Cancer Research UK. Alex discusses navigating charity legal work, her journey into her current role and what she has learnt through the process.

This episode, the last in the series, is a tribute to Lord Judge, who was Lord Chief Justice from 2008 to 2013 and who died last November (2023). On retiring as Lord Chief Justice, he had become a leading figure in the House of Lords. Highly influential and respected as a legislator, he was a strong defender of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. The interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, for a landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades – those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers? 

In this episode, LLB student Alexander Gill is joined by Head of Student Support Services Keith Houghton to discuss wellbeing, access to support at the University, and why making time for hobbies outside of your studies is so important.

In this episode, LLB student Alexander Gill is joined by Aruna Verma who is Dean at the University's Moorgate campus. Aruna answers 24 questions about what she enjoys about her role, her academic and professional experience which includes setting up the University's campus in Hong Kong, and offers some tips and advice for students.  

Lord Burnett of Maldon has recently stepped down as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales and head of the judiciary, after six years in post (2017-2023). He had carved out a career acting in public inquiries, which included the 1987 King’s Cross fire, the convictions of the Guildford Four and Maguire Seven, the 1997 Southall and 1999 Ladbroke Grove rail crashes, and the inquest into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi Fayed. In this episode, Lord Burnett speaks about the impact of funding cuts to the criminal justice system and expresses concerns about the “ramping up” of sentence lengths, urging more use of community sentences for young offenders.The interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, for a landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades – those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers? 

In this episode, Online Programmes Director Navdeep Chouhan is joined by Lori Rockett the Programme and Student Lead at the university to discuss the benefits of online study. Lori shares what she has seen teaching online, why it is so helpful for students with other commitments to have the opportunity to study online and who studying online is for.

Lord Mackay of Clashfern is best known as having been Lord Chancellor for 10 years from 1987-97, in the governments of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major. An outsider to the English legal profession, he brought in some of its most far-reaching reforms, ending the Bar’s monopoly of advocacy in the higher courts and the solicitors’ monopoly of conveyancing. Lord Mackay has had a distinguished career as an advocate, judge and politician. In this episode, Lord Mackay speaks about some of the judicial appointments he made, having made some of the most influential judicial appointments of the last 50 years, including that of Lord Bingham as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.  At the time it caused a stir because of his lack of a criminal law background but he is widely acknowledged to have been the most outstanding judge of his generation. The interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, for a landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades – those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers?

In this episode,  Emily Lewis our Clubs and Societies Coordinator, is joined by PGDL student Ben Weisz to discuss his journey to studying law part-time.  Ben worked at the BBC as a Political Reporter for ten years, before deciding to have a career change into law. Ben shares how his previous career inspired him, the assets it gave him and managing working alongside his studies.

In our second episode of this series, Navdeep Chouhan, Online Programmes Director - Business School, is joined by business owner and online student Danielle Hubbard to discuss online studies.Danielle shares her journey to studying online at The University of Law, managing a business alongside her studies, and shares advice for those thinking about online study.ULaw Online is our dedicated online campus bringing together a community of students and professionals from law, business, psychology and so much more. For more information about our online courses please visit our website www.law.ac.uk 

Baroness Butler-Sloss was appointed President of the High Court Family Division in 1999, the first woman to reach that level of the judiciary. She came into the public eye when, as a High Court judge, she was chosen to chair the Cleveland Child Abuse Inquiry.  Her focus on the voice of child led to the central principle of the Children Act introduced in 1989. Among her key family rulings were that gay couples could adopt children. In this episode, Baroness Butler-Sloss speaks candidly about mistakes, including a case where she ruled that a child should go back to live with her mother but was then badly treated and victimised, along with her views on current proposals to allow assisted suicide when people are certified as within six months of death. The interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, for a landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades – those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers?

In the first episode of this new podcast series, LLB student Alex Gill speaks with Amanda Crutchley, Head of Pro Bono at the University, and asks her 24 questions to learn more about her role, her background and the opportunities pro bono work offers.

Lord Sumption is a former chief justice of the UK Supreme Court. He broke ground when he was appointed to that role in 2012, being the first appointment at the top of the judiciary to be made directly from the ranks of the practising Bar. As a barrister he carved out a highly successful career, with wide-ranging expertise spanning commercial law, constitutional law and human rights - and appearing in many complex and prominent cases.On retiring from the Supreme Court in 2018, he became a prominent public commentator and writer, expressing often controversial views, such as on the handling of the Covid 19 pandemic.  In 2019 he delivered The Reith lectures for the BBC on the theme of “Law and the Decline of Politics,” on the relationship between law and democracy. The interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, for a landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades – those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers?

In this episode, former LPC students Darren Broad and Chloe Orledge are joined again by Amanda Crutchley, Head of Pro-Bono at the University to discuss getting ready for interviews and assessment centres. Darren and Chloe share their advice, what to expect and how to manage nerves.

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers is one of the most senior judicial figures in the land. He was Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2005 to 2008, and went on to be the first president of the newly created UK Supreme Court in 2009. He has held all three highest posts in the judicial hierarchy.As Lord Chief Justice, he oversaw the modernisation of judges’ robes, including the abolition of wigs in the civil courts. He also chaired the inquiry into BSE or mad cow disease from 1997-2000.The interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, for a landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades – those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers?