S07E06 - Cake and Sex

It’s the cake and er... sex apparently...show as the series ends with a fabulous interview with Felicity Gerry.  She talks to Ben about sex trials, anonymity of defendants accused of rape, cross-examination of witnesses in sex trials and other related issues.

This week also saw a meeting on the Northern Circuit about the future of the Bar - and the threats to it.  As a result, all members of Circuit will be balloted over QASA.  Kirstin tells us what the questions will be and we discuss the apparent feeling on other circuits.

Then we have our second review of Blackstone’s Criminal Practice 2013 in electronic format.  Is it still very nearly the Bee’s knees?  Have any or all of the niggles we had last time been resolved?

Keep us up to date with your views during the break via Twitter (@northpodlaw), e-mail (mail@northpod.co.uk) or leave us a voice message (0161 408 5037). 

Find the show right here.

Felicity Gerry
Blackstone’s Criminal Practice

S07E05 - Mags, Bads and Dangerous to Know

This week we are without Ben Knight...so clearly one worth listening to!

Kirstin soldiers on with the inestimable Jonathan Holt in support as we bring you a profusion of case law.

First up is the news that 4 people have gone to gaol in connection with the tragic death of Baljinder Gill who was innocently caught up in a staged road traffic accident - surprisingly the 1st case of it’s kind.

Then we cover 2 cases involving drink-driving.  When is a public place not a public place and do the Magistrates have to say why?  And can the Magistrates change their minds about the verdict they’ve given after trial but apparently before they’ve thought about the evidence or point of law the case rests upon?

The decision in the Edexcel/Ofqual fiasco of different grades for the same marks at GCSE is looked at and Kirstin explains why the High Court came to the conclusion that nothing should be done.

And finally a case which clearly demonstrates the old warning to be careful what you wish for - especially when what you wish for is a good character direction - this one’s good enough to sink any defendant.

We wish Ben a speedy recovery and hope for his return next week - although it’s been ever so much easier and quieter just recently.....

1. Gaol for crash 4 cash death case.
2. Cowan v Director of Public Prosecutions - Was there enough evidence on Public Place?
3. DPP v Gautam Chajed - Cannot change verdict under s.142 MCA 1980
4. Ofqual, Edexcel, AQA not at fault
5. R v Kevin Marlon Dillon - With good character directions like these...

(Ed - cough, cough. They still need me to do the technical stuff and blah...blah..blah... And Kirstin thinks this is "Episode 7 Episode 5" for some reason. Ben)

The show is here.

S07E04 - All about IP

This week we bring you an Intellectual Property special. Everything you wanted to know about IP but were afraid to ask!  

Ben talks to Jane Lambert, a barrister and blogger specialising in IP. What is IP and why are we hearing so much about it in the news these days? How do you secure it? What do you do when somebody infringes your IP rights? Also, we hear an insight into a rather innovative approach to securing assets that appear to be the fruits of your IP, even if rather indirectly!

In other news...

The French have decided that it is time to let women join the modern world. No. Seriously.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21329269

Summary Justice gone too far?  A rather spectacular headline that masks a rather tragic story.  "Woman shot dead for shoplifting at Walmart"

Listen to the show right here.

S07E03 - IPPs and Legal Fees

In this week's show:

The audio is right here.

A look at the reform of indeterminate sentencing and the dangerousness provisions.  

In force now.  Criminal lawyers MUST know these as probably more likely to be used than IPPs.

Find the MoJ circular here.

POCA restraint breaches to pay legal fees - is it perverting the course of justice?
Find the decision in the Kenny case here.

When can you claim compensation for a miscarriage of justice?
The full text of the decision in Ali & Others is here.

How long is too long when it comes to Parole Board delays and what are your remedies?
The Parratt decision is here.

Why [A-ya- -fyat la- Yo-Kutl] might mean those toilet prices on Ryanair flights might be going up.

That ECJ case... right here.

Other News

- CDS4 and CDS5 eForms become mandatory from 1 April 2013
- CBA ramp up the rhetoric and await your mandate...
- New report shows that 23 children in custody died last year and a further 20 died in community-based punishment (2 murder, the remainder suicides and accidents).
- According to the BBC, it is alleged that Lindsay Sandiford was found with 4.8kg (10.6lb) of cocaine at the airport in Bali. The Foreign Office response: The Government does not fund legal representation for British Nationals abroad.  High Court says that there is no HR breach and no duty to do so.  Right in law but right in principle?

And thanks to Laurie Anstis (@ljanstis) for making us number 1 in his roll call of the Best of British legal podcasts. Find his blog here.