S09E01 - "Oh you can tell by the way I use my walk..."

Welcome back!  You can listen here.

Last series it was Jonathan Holt in a cell in Thailand.  This series it's Ben Knight involved in diamond smuggling - honestly is there only me left as a law abiding legal type?

We kick the series off with the topic of gait identification - if it walks like a duck is apparently enough now.  We talk about why a podiatrist is likely to qualify as an expert and give practical tips on how you challenge the evidence if you have to

We also have a bit of a row about children and pornography and what can and ought to be done to prevent them viewing it.  This is in light of government proposals leaked to the BBC to have the parental controls "default on."

In other news: the effects of cuts on the listing system and a big, "well done to Serco and G4S" for allegedly providing Chris Grayling with a real cost saving scheme.  They can just stop over-charging him according to the Lord Chancellor.

Congratulations to Tony Cross QC who will be the 1st Chair of the Criminal Bar Association to not come from a London Set and to Alison Saunders who will be the 1st DPP to be selected from the CPS's own ranks.

NorthPod Law.  It's all about firsts.

S08 E06.02 - Marches and Meeetings Part 2

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As promised, here is the 2nd part of our coverage from the Justice for Sale meeting in Westminster last week.  We hope it inspires you to put pen to paper and to respond to the consultation paper.  It doesn't matter whether or not you are a lawyer - this effects everyone.

If you want to listen to the edited speeches in full or to hear the wonderful questions and answers session, including an especial emphasis on Wales then you can do so at the CLSA website.  Many thanks again to them for providing us with the raw audio.

See you in 6 weeks!

p.s. - sorry about the slightly odd ending and the reference to Jo Sidhu as John Sidhu.  It was a late night.

S08E06 - Marches and Meetings

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The usual up-beat mood of the end of term episode is somewhat lost this series as the MoJ proposals hang over the immediate future of the Criminal Law Professions and over the medium term future of the rest of the Legal System.

This week the team go a-roving as 400 Lawyers take to the streets of Manchester to protest over the cuts to Legal Aid.  The March was organised by Parents for Real Justice in response to Chris Grayling's proposals.

On the same day, in Manchester and Liverpool, the MoJ held roadshows to put the Government's point of view to the professions and members of the general public. Jonathan Holt was dispatched to cover the Manchester version.  Speakers making points against included solicitor Robert Lizar and Pete Weatherby QC.

And finally we travelled South into the Big Smoke to witness the funeral of Lady Justice and to attend her wake at the Justice for Sale meeting in Westminster.  Thanks to the CLSA for providing us with part one of the soundtrack to the meeting - hoping part 2 is in the post as promised.

There should be a further show just to complete the highlights but in case part 2 is lost in the post you can find the unedited recording of the meeting on the CLSA website (as soon as they post it).


See you in 6 weeks, but keep an eye out on this site or on (the) twitter in case of specials.

S08E05 - Legally Speaking

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On this week's show, we look into the use of interpreters in courts and police stations and find out why a Ministry of Justice contract with Applied Language Solutions Ltd (now known as Capita Translation and Interpreting Ltd) is causing concern for interpreters, courts and parties to proceedings.

We speak with Mirela Watson, a Romanian interpreter with over a decade of experience and qualifications, about what is wrong with the present system and where the dangers lie.

If you want to read the BBC article about the Snaresbrook case, it is here.
The Court of Appeal decision referred to is here.
The place to register your concerns about cases such as those discussed is here.
We will bring you Capita's response in next week's show, if we receive comment.

The "Justice for Sale" meeting in London on 22nd May 2013 is now sold out.  That's more than 1,100 people and a significant press following.  We will be covering the event (all things being equal!).  The press release from the CLSA, confirming the sell-out, is here.

There are some clues as to the details of some of the Home Secretary's plans for criminal justice, following her address at the Police Federation conference in Bournemouth.  The M.E.N. also had this to say.

We have what might be the last Abu Qatada update from Jonathan Holt.

We all do some agreeing with the Home Secretary about a couple of things.  Don't worry; normal service will be resumed by next week.

In next week's show, coverage of the London "Justice For Sale" event and the protest demo in Manchester. And maybe some cake and bourbon.