The Law Show

So-called blitz courts are being expanded across England and Wales.

A number of courts across the two countries have been holding regular blitz hearings since April. Multiple cases are heard every day instead of just one, and are grouped by type. A set of plea hearings might be scheduled together in one blitz court, and sentencing hearings at another.

Blitz courts increase efficiency by making sure that all the parties concerned are ready and prepared for their day in court.

They are not a new idea. Rapid hearings are sometimes used to speed up justice in exceptional circumstances, such as after the 2011 summer riots in England, which saw large numbers of public disorder hearings.

It's part of plans by the Ministry of Justice to try to cut court delays and backlogs in England and Wales, which have reached record levels.

But will they help ease the crisis in the criminal courts?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Ivana Davidovic Editor: Damon Rose

Contributors BBC news correspondent Adina Campbell Riel Karmy-Jones, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association Joanne Edwards, a solicitor from Forsters who's on the National Committee of Resolution, the Family Lawyers Association.

The Representation of the People Bill 2026 is in the King’s Speech which means it’s on the Government’s legislative agenda and is going through Parliament.

The Bill covers parliamentary ballots cross the UK, and contains sweeping changes, including giving 16 and 17 year-olds the right to vote in a general election and referendums.

The Bill also aims to strengthen the rules around political donations. Giving money to a political party is completely legal, if you are on the UK electoral register, are a UK registered company or UK-registered organisation, but is there a limit on the size of your contribution? Can you be an anonymous donor or pay in cryptocurrency? How are the laws about political party funding being tightened up?

And what about individual MPs? Are they allowed to receive personal donations, and do they have to declare them?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Ivana Davidovic Editor: Damon Rose

Contributors: Dr Sam Power, Lecturer at Bristol University, and an expert in political financing, electoral regulation and corruption. Hannah Perry, Interim Director of Demos Digital, a cross-party pro-democracy think tank Joanne Wheeler, Managing Partner at Alden legal, and a leading international expert in the field of satellite and space law.

Note: this episode contains frequent references to rape, sexual assault and physical assault.

There's been public confusion and outrage over the sentences given to three teenage boys, who were convicted of rape.

In November 2024 and January 2025, two girls, then aged 15 and 14, were attacked in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, by two 14-year-olds. Another boy, then 13, was also convicted for his involvement in the second rape.

The teenage boys were given youth rehabilitation orders and walked out of court with 10 rape convictions between them.

The Prime Minister says the case will be referred to the Court of Appeal. He described the case as distressing and said "there are questions about the sentence". One of the girls who was raped told the BBC that the judge's decision was like a "rock straight in my face".

So what are the likely reasons why the three teenage boys were given non-custodial sentences? What is the guidance around youth sentencing, and what are youth rehabilitation orders? How do youth courts - and youth custody - work, and how does the system differ from the adult courts in England and Wales? And does the adversarial nature of our criminal justice system lead to vulnerable victims being re-traumatised?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Ivana Davidovic Editor: Damon Rose

Contributors: Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales Dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister who specialises in family law and human rights Dr Kathy Hampson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Aberystwyth University

The Renter’s Rights Act came into force at the start of May, and it marked the biggest change to how private rentals work in England in a generation.

There are a host of new protections and legal entitlements for renters, and many potential pitfalls for landlords to consider.

Assured shorthold tenancies have been abolished, and have automatically been converted into rolling tenancies - sometimes known as ‘assured periodic tenancies’. It means that the tenancy has no automatic end date.

Section 21 notices - also known as "no fault" evictions have been abolished, and Landlords are not allowed to ask for more than 1 months' rent as a deposit. Bidding wars for rental properties are now forbidden, and there are measures to limit rent increases.

But it doesn't apply to all renters in all properties.

What about students? They all rent, but only some students are covered by the Act.

And if landlords don't follow the new laws carefully, they could face fines of thousands of pounds.

So what are the details that property owners and their tenants need to know?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producer: Ravi Naik Editor: Damon Rose

Contributors: Siobhan Taylor-Ward, a Housing Solicitor at Lawstop on the Wirral Nermin Suleman, an associate solicitor at Prosperity Law in Manchester Tim Wrigley a partner at Wrigley’s Solicitors in Leeds

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s Restoring Order and Control policy is underway. It's based - in part - on measures carried out in Denmark which cut asylum claims there to a 40 year low.

From now on in the UK, people granted asylum - refugees - will face a review every two and a half years. If their country of origin is regarded as safe, they may be encouraged, or even forced, to go back.

There are lots of other changes. If someone is refused asylum, they’ll only be allowed a single appeal. If an asylum seeker breaks the law, works illegally or can financially support themselves, they’ll lose their benefits or accommodation.

Alongside the asylum reforms, there are also major changes to settlement in the UK, affecting both refugees and people on work and study visas. From now on, they will have to wait at least 10 years before they can obtain indefinite leave to remain, which means they can settle in the UK without restrictions.

You may be forgiven for thinking -"these are pretty big changes, I don’t recall there being a big debate in parliament or any votes?" And you’d be correct. This was all done through secondary legislation, meaning that it’s a change to existing rules.

But what are the possible legal battles for the government as it tries to introduce some of the toughest asylum laws in Europe?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Editor: Tom Bigwood Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles

Contributors: Dr Peter Walsh, Senior Researcher and lead on asylum at the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford Catherine Barnard, Professor of European Law at the University of Cambridge Baroness Levitt, Family Justice Minister

Under international law, when can a country declare war on another?

Was it legal for Israel and the United States to have carried out "pre-emptive" airstrikes across most of Iran’s provinces, which started the war? The USA says the attacks were justfied, because of an imminent threat from Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel claims it acted in self-defence.

The Israeli President went further - telling the BBC that focusing on the legality of the war instead of regional security is "mind-boggling" to him.

And what of Iran's response? Was it reasonable under international law? In the last few weeks, practically all its Gulf-state neighbours have been targeted, as well as its drones or missiles landing in Syria, Cyprus, Turkey and Azerbajan.

So does the Iranian retalliation justify the American and Israeli attacks under international law?

And if any country breaks international laws - are there any real consequences? Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor: Tom Bigwood

Contributors: Susan Breau, Professor of International law at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London Christian Henderson, Professor of International Law, University of Sussex Éamon Chawke, intellectual property, data protection and commercial law solicitor, Briffa Legal

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she makes “no apology” for announcing the roll-out of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) to all the police services in England and Wales.

Under a government white paper on policing, the number of Live Facial Recognition vans will increase from 10 to 50.

Police say it’s groundbreaking technology in the fight against crime, but civil liberties groups say it’s authoritarian and a step towards a "surveillance state".

Facial recognition cameras are already used in shops; the difference with LFR is that the software used by police tracks faces against a watchlist - a specific database of faces - from a live video feed.

But the legal framework regulating the use of the technology is a patchwork of common law, human rights legislation and police guidelines, which has been challenged in the High Court.

There is also concern about a lack of oversight over how police watchlists are compiled, and why the number of people on the list now stretches into the thousands.

So is LFR legal?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor: Tom Bigwood

Contributors: Sonja Jessup, BBC London’s home affairs correspondent Professor Karen Yeung, Interdisciplinary Professorial Fellow in Law, Ethics and Informatics, Birmingham Law School Dr Asress Gikay, Senior Lecturer in AI, Disruptive Innovation and Law, Brunel, University of London Richard Ryan a barrister from Blakiston’s, specialising in drone and unmanned aviation law

The courts system in England and Wales is in an unprecedented crisis. The backlog has reached 80,000 cases, and some defendants are being told they won't be able to have a criminal trial until 2030.

The government has introduced the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which contains a raft of measures to tackle delays and bring down the backlog; but the Justice Secretary David Lammy has admitted that things are going to get even worse before they get better.

The most controversial change is a plan to restrict the number of jury trials. The right to judgement by your peers has existed for more than 800 years, but for some offences, that's going to end.

Defendants will lose the right to choose between a jury trial or a magistrate's hearing in so-called "either-way" offences.

Magistrates will get increased sentencing powers - up from 12 months to 18 months.

More serious criminal cases, with likely sentences of up to three years will now be heard by a single judge - and no jury.

And only the most serious "indictable" offences, like murder, manslaughter and rape and any other offence with a sentence of longer than three years will be heard by a jury.

But will the reforms make a difference?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor: Tom Bigwood

Contributors: Sarah Sackman KC, courts and legal services minister Chris Kinch, KC, who until 2024 was a senior judge at Woolwich Crown Court in south London David Ford, national chair of the Magistrates Association

The former US ambassador Peter Mandelson is on bail after being arrested on suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office.

Police have been investigating claims that when he was Business secretary, he shared market-sensitive government information with the financier Jeffrey Epstein.

His arrest comes a few days after police arrested Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, also on suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office, when he was a trade envoy. He is suspected of sharing confidential government documents with Epstein.

The arrests come after the release of a large number of files by the US Department of Justice. These relate to the activities of Jeffrey Epstein, who was a convicted sex offender. He died in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of the sex-trafficking of underage girls.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was friends with Epstein. So was Lord Mandelson.

The BBC has approached Andrew Mountbatten Windsor for a response to these claims. He has always rejected any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein and denied any personal gain from his role as trade envoy.

Lord Mandelson has not publicly commented in recent weeks on the Epstein files, but the BBC understands his position is he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.

But what exactly is Misconduct in Public Office? It's a common law offence, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but the Law Commission of England and Wales describes it as "ill-defined ".

So how did it evolve, who does it apply to, how does it work in practice?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Editor: Tom Bigwood Senior Producer: Ravi Naik Producer: Charlotte Rowles

Contributors: Gareth Roberts, Barrister, Exchange chambers Kate Bex KC, Red Lion chambers Jeremy Horder, Professor of Criminal Law, the London School of Economics Dr Hayleigh Bosher, a Reader in Intellectual Property Law at Brunel, University of London.

Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession in the UK have led to barristers, solicitors, advocates and judges being subjected to violence, death threats and rape threats. Some have faced threats to their family members.

This is according to the The Bar Council of England and Wales, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates, the Bar of Northern Ireland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland. These organisations represent a quarter of a million lawyers across the UK, and they have come together to warn about an increasing climate of hostility against legal professionals.

They say that law firms have been targeted by protesters, and they point out that lawyers are not their clients. So how bad has the situation become, and is it threatening justice or even democracy?

Also on the programme: The Scottish Parliament has passed the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill after 3 days of debates and almost 400 amendments lodged - so why is the bill so controversial? And using a dodgy "jailbroken-Firestick" to watch illegally-streamed TV may seem like a victimless crime - but is it?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor: Tom Bigwood

Contributors: Charlie Sherrard KC, criminal barrister with 2BR Chambers Mark Evans, President of the Law Society James Cook, BBC Scotland Editor Éamon Chawke, a solicitor who specialises in intellectual property law at Briffa legal

When the Labour government came to power in 2024, it faced a crisis in the criminal courts, with ever-longer delays and a growing backlog of cases.

The Ministry of Justice's budget is now one third higher in real terms than in 2019, but according to the latest figures, crown court cases that are yet to be heard reached a record high of 78,329.

In October, the Justice Secretary David Lammy promised extra funding to increase the number of days that English and Welsh courts will sit next year.

But is throwing money at the problem enough? How can the courts service be improved, and should jury trials be limited to help clear the backlog?

Also in the programme: Protests in support of the banned group Palestine Action could result in trials for as many as 2100 people - so how do courts deal with a sudden influx of cases? And are UK laws fair to football fans?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Editor: Tom Bigwood Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles

Contributors: Claire Waxman, Victims Commissioner designate, Riel Karmy-Jones KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales, Dr Steven Cammiss, Associate Professor in Law at the University of Birmingham, Professor Geoff Pearson, Professor of Law, University of Manchester.

Immigration has dominated headlines for months, but what UK laws cover this most emotive of issues?

When someone arrives here, what are the legal routes they have to take if they want to stay in the UK? What's the legal difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee? What does "indefinite leave to remain" mean? And what's the difference between being deported, being removed and being extradited?

How do immigration hearings work? Are our immigration laws fit for purpose, and do they enable us to remove people when required?

Also on the programme: How will the government's digital ID plans help curb illegal immigration? and wigs in court; as the bar council updates dress advice for its members, we ask two barristers if wigs have had their day.

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Editor: Tom Bigwood Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles

Contributors Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford Paul Gulbenkian, solicitor at OTS solicitors and former immigration Judge Morgan Wild, Chief Policy Adviser, Labour Together Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe, barrister at 23 Essex Street chambers Benet Brandreth KC, barrister at 11 South Square chambers

The phrase “State related deaths” might mean little to the average person, but it's an umbrella term referring to a death in custody or a mental health setting. It also applies to situations when people have taken their own lives while in the armed forces or even to disasters like Grenfell or Hillsborough.

What all these have in common is that they are followed by inquests or public inquiries, where investigators or coroners try to work out what caused the deaths.

Public inquiries are set up to draw conclusions and release their findings, and coroners are required to write a "Prevention of Future Deaths" report when there are lessons to be learned.

Hundreds of these PFD reports are released in England and Wales each year - yet there is no system in place to ensure preventative changes are made.

In Scotland, the equivalent is a Fatal Accident Inquiry. It's held by a procurator fiscal - and not a coroner - in front of a sheriff, and has a wider remit than an inquest. It too, can flag up systemic failures that led to a death, and precautions that should be made in future.

So should the UK have a body that ensures these warnings are heeded?

Also on the programme: The government has welcomed Law Commission reforms to Wills - which includes new protections against so-called "predatory marriages". And the Supreme Court case which could change the rules for all divorces in England and Wales.

Presenter: Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor: Tara McDermott

Contributors: Deborah Coles, Director of the charity Inquest Kate Stone, barrister at Garden Court North chambers Alexander Learmonth KC, barrister at New Square chambers Tracey Moloney, Moloney Family solicitors

The Victims and Courts Bill is progressing through Parliament, and will force convicted criminals to attend their sentencing hearings.

If criminals convicted of the most serious offences in England or Wales refuse to attend, or are disruptive in court, they will face an extra two years in prison. There are other sanctions too, including missing out on family visits.

‘Reasonable force’ can also be used to get criminals to attend.

The families of three women killed in London - Sabina Nessa, Jan Mustafa and Zara Aleena - have been campaigning for a new law. In each case, the men who murdered their loved ones refused to come to their sentencing hearings.

Their families are not alone; the mother of 9 year old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was fatally shot in August 2022, has also been calling for a change in the law. The man who murdered her daughter also refused to come to court to be sentenced.

But will the changes improve the court system for the families of victims?

Also on the programme: The first purely-AI legal service has been given the go ahead in England and Wales - what does it mean for the UK legal sector? And who gets the dog? Why all couples might want to consider a "pet-nup" in case they split up.

Presenter: Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor Tara McDermott

Contributors Charlie Sherrard KC, criminal justice barrister and judge Claire Waxman, Victim's Commissioner for London Dr Giulia Gentile, Department of Law, University of Essex and expert on AI and digital regulation Samantha Woodham, barrister and co-founder of The Divorce Surgery.

Wrongful convictions in the Post Office scandal and for train fare evasion have been described by the Government as ‘catastrophic failures’, and it's held a consultation in England and Wales to reform private prosecutions.

It covers private prosecutions brought by organisations, and also, the SJP - the single justice procedure - where a minor criminal offence is decided by a magistrate behind closed doors. Tens of thousands of rail fines have been quashed, after train companies were found to have misused the SJP system.

So how should private prosecutions be reformed?

Also on the programme: how "No Further Action" and police cautions can leave a lasting mark on safeguarding and criminal records checks.

(Note that in Scotland, the nearest equivalent to a police caution is a Procurator Fiscal warning which is usually issued for low level offences such as street drinking or breach of the peace).

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editors: Tara McDermott and Nick Holland

Contributors: Dr Jonathan Rogers, part of the campaign group Criminal Justice Reform Now and Co-Deputy Director of the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice Tristan Kirk court correspondent at the London Evening Standard Nathalie Potter head of DBS at Olliers solicitors in Manchester

What legal responsibilities does a company have to keep your data secure?

M&S, and the Co-op are picking up the pieces after their systems were hacked.

The cyber criminals claim to have the private information of 20 million people who signed up to Co-op's membership scheme, but the firm have not confirmed that number. The Co-op says the breach did not include members’ passwords, bank or credit card details. However, experts say seemingly innocent information can be used to commit fraud or identity theft.

Companies aren’t the only target; on Monday this week, the Ministry of Justice revealed that the Legal Aid Agency was also hacked in April.

So can you sue if your private data is stolen in this way? And if you're the employee who clicked on a hacker's dodgy link in an email, how liable are you for any losses that occur?

Also on the programme: How survivors of domestic violence in Scotland want to be told if their attackers make plea deals.

Presenter: Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor: Tara McDermott

Contributors Joe Tidy, BBC Cyber Correspondent Tim Capel, Legal Counsel for the Information Commissioner’s Office Ian Jeffrey, Chief Executive of the Law Society Brian McConnachie KC, a former crown prosecutor and now a senior advocate:

When someone passes away - legally, what do you have to do?

In this episode, Dr Joelle Grogan and guests look at the host of legal obligations that have to be considered in England and Wales from declaring a death, to the circumstances in which a coroner becomes involved, dealing with a dead person’s estate and the grant of probate.

Note that in Scotland, different laws and rules apply. The Procurator Fiscal investigates all sudden, suspicious, accidental, unexpected and unexplained deaths and any death occurring in circumstances that give rise to serious public concern. Also in Scotland, "Confirmation of Executors" - also known as Confirmation - gives someone the legal authority to manage and distribute a deceased person's estate. It is similar to probate, but some procedures and terms used in the process differ.

Also on the programme:

A teenage boy recently lost a High Court case against his parents. He was unhappy that they had placed him in a Ghanaian boarding school because they feared that he was becoming involved in criminal activity in London.

The case rested on parental responsibility, and the judge ruled that their actions were within the scope of decisions that parents can make - and that the state shouldn't intervene.

But what is "parental responsibility" and is there a situation where a child can divorce their parents?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producer: Ravi Naik Editor: Tara McDermott

Contributors: Rachel Roche, from Roche Legal in York Dr Imogen Jones, Associate Professor in Law at the University of Leeds Melinda Giles, Law Society Council member and part of their Wills & Equity Committee Tracey Moloney, from Moloney Family Solicitors

Justice delayed is justice denied - the court backlog in England and Wales has reached a record high and suspects being charged with new offences are regularly told they may not get a trial until 2027. Some courts are already booking court dates for 2028. The government has commissioned an independent review of criminal courts to work out how to cut waiting times. A victim of crime and a criminal defence solicitor tell Dr Joelle Grogan about the human cost of court delays.

Also on the programme, the MP introducing a law to end the abuse of Lasting Powers of Attorney and what can someone do when their ex refuses to pay child maintenance?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Louise Clarke Editor: Tara McDermott

Contributors: Tracey Moloney, solicitor, Moloney Family Solicitors Stephen Davies, criminal defence solicitor at Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors Tom Franklin, CEO of the Magistrates Association Professor Carolyn Stephens, whose father was a victim of LPA abuse Fabian Hamilton, Labour MP for Leeds North East.

Since the October 7th attacks by Hamas on Israel, and the IDF military invasion of the Gaza strip, terms like 'war crimes', 'crimes against humanity' and 'genocide' have been used when discussing the conflict.

Warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court in the Hague for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas commander Mohammed Deif - who has since died in an air strike - citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In this special episode of the Law Show, we'll ask what are the legal definitions of these terms, how victims in a conflict situation can seek justice, and we'll explain the difficulties of gathering evidence in war and proving claims in an international court.

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producer: Louise Clarke Editor: Tara McDermott

Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life sentences after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester hospital - with two attempts on one of her victims - between June 2015 and June 2016.

But a campaign to clear her is being led by 14 medical experts who say there is no medical evidence for murders or attacks on those babies in her ward at the hospital.

The expert witness at her trial, Dr Dewi Evans, has consistently defended the evidence he provided to the court.

So what is an expert witness? When is their evidence required in court, what do they do, and who pays their fees?

Also on this week's programme: Prince Harry wanted his day in court to face News Group Newspapers, but it never happened. Why did his case end so abruptly? And marry in haste repent at leisure - or not. The "legal queen" Tracey Moloney on annulment, divorce and why you can't choose between them.

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Louise Clarke Editor: Tara McDermott

Contributors: Retired Crown Court Judge Nigel Lithman KC Amel Alghrani Professor of Law at the University of Liverpool Aejaz Mussa, Barrister, One Law Chambers

A parliamentary inquiry has just started work into the law around Joint enterprise.

Joint enterprise is contentious because if a person is seen to be involved in a crime, from knowing about it, to egging someone on, being present, or even being able to predict that someone is likely to use a weapon like a gun - then they could be considered as guilty as the person who pulled the trigger.

It has a long history, but in recent times, it has been used as a way of prosecuting murder, especially in cases involving groups of people, when it's not known who carried out a killing.

But is it being applied fairly?

The CPS says “We choose the right charges for the right people based on the evidence in front of us. We look objectively at the evidence before making our own decisions.

and they add that “The CPS carefully monitors joint enterprise prosecutions, with senior legal oversight over every case to ensure that our approach is fair and proportionate.”

But campaigners say joint enterprise disproportionately results in working-class and black youths being prosecuted and convicted.

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik, Arlene Gregorius and Bob Howard Editor Tara McDermott

Contributors: Alexander Hughes, Head Judicial Assistant at The Supreme Court "Cleeshay" who was convicted of murder under joint enterprise Jan Cunliffe, co-founder of Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association (JENGbA) Tracey Moloney, solicitor, Moloney family Law Dr Sam Fowles, a barrister and author David Duncan, solicitor and Director of the legal firm Duncan & McConnell in Dundee

The job of the Criminal Cases Review Commission - or CCRC - is to investigate cases where people may have been wrongfully convicted of a crime in the criminal courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The CCRC has faced criticism over it's actions - or lack of action - in a high-profile miscarriage of justice.

In April this year, the CCRC offered an unreserved apology to Andrew Malkinson. He spent 17 years in prison following conviction for a rape in Salford that he didn’t commit. DNA testing which led to his conviction being quashed was not commissioned by the CCRC, and in July, an independent review found that he could have been freed five years after receiving a life sentence in 2003.

After the report was published, the Justice Secretary called for the resignation of the chair of the CCRC, Helen Pitcher. However, she said she was still the “best person” for the job and that she had no intention of standing down.

So how does the Criminal Cases Review Commission work? How does it make decisions about which cases should go back to the Court of Appeal, and which should be rejected?

Also this week: - Are the laws around accessing social care for disabled children too complicated? - And if you’re selling your home - are you legally bound to mention problem neighbours?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Nathan Gower Editor: Tara McDermott Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Contributors Dr Hannah Quirk, a Reader in Criminal Law at King’s College London, who also used to work at the CCRC. Professor Alison Young, Commissioner for Public and Welsh Law, the Law Commission. Catriona Moore, policy manager at IPSEA, a charity which helps parents with SEND legislation - Special Educational needs and disabilities. Tracey Moloney, from Moloney Family Law, also known as the Legal Queen on social media

Last year, more than a quarter of a million cases started in Family Court in England and Wales.

Yet, to most people, the way they work is a mystery.

Traditionally, they were always held in private, because they discuss sensitive information about peoples' personal lives, and to protect children from harm.

Since 2009 reporters have been allowed to attend hearings. But they weren't allowed to tell anyone what was said without the permission of the court, and judges could exclude them.

Now, a pilot has been operating in 19 areas across England and Wales to allow journalists and legal bloggers to report Family Court cases, subject to strict rules of anonymity. Last week, it was extended to cover both private and public family cases at magistrates courts in the pilot areas.

But will it improve confidence and help people understand how the family courts work?

This week, Dr Joelle Grogan is joined by BBC correspondent Sanchia Berg and Lucy Reed KC, chair of the charity, the Transparency Project, to explain how the family courts work, what people attending them can expect, and why the reporting pilot is vital.

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Arlene Gregorius Editor: Tara McDermott Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Contributors: BBC Correspondent Sanchia Berg. Lucy Reed KC, family law barrister at St John's chambers, legal blogger, and chair of the Transparency Project. Samantha Woodham, family law barrister at 4PB chambers and co-founder of the Divorce Surgery

In this new series of the Law Show, Dr Joelle Grogan and guests look at the legislation that affects your life.

One of the flagship pieces of legislation for the Labour Government is the Renters' Rights Bill - scrapping no-fault evictions, and imposing new obligations and penalties on rogue landlords. How will it benefit tenants and affect landlords?

Also on the programme: a raft of new laws are coming into effect this autumn, but who decides when a law becomes active or is enforceable?

And family law solicitor Tracey Moloney joins us to look at an aspect of divorce that fills many people with dread: the division of assets. Can your ex claim against property you brought into the marriage? Can they claim your pension? And how can the answers to those questions differ, dependent upon where you live in the UK?

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Arlene Gregorius Editor: Tara McDermott Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Contributors Dr Sam Fowles, author and barrister at Cornerstone Barristers Tracey Moloney, from Moloney Family Law, also known as the Legal Queen on social media Dr Christy Burzio, barrister at Tanfield Chambers Sarah Taylor, partner at Excello Law in Bristol

Weekly conversation led by Dr Joelle Grogan to give you an in-depth understanding of the law stories making news and the legal decisions that could have a bearing on everyone in the UK.

This week: Traumatised jurors: new research has found that as much as half of people who serve on the juries of gruesome criminal trials, such as child murders or rape, can suffer symptoms of vicarious psychological trauma as a result. A pilot scheme to offer free counselling to affected jurors has now been shelved in England and Wales due to the election. But in Scotland and Northern Ireland support is available. Joelle discusses all this and what else happens on jury service with criminal defence barrister and part-time judge Charlie Sherrard KC, and with author, commentator and barrister Dr Sam Fowles.

Prenuptial contracts: what is a "prenup," as they're often called? Should you get one even if you're not wealthy? Are they legally binding in the case of divorce, or not worth the paper they're written on? What do you need to do for the courts to uphold them in the various parts of the UK? Family law solicitor and social media's "legal queen" Tracey Moloney has the answers.

And: Japanese knotweed, a fast-growing invasive species so tough it can only be successfully removed by professionals. A Scottish couple has been granted permission by an Edinburgh sheriff to sue the previous owners of their home, who had not declared that there is Japanese knotweed on the property. This case centres around whether or not it counts as an "infestation". Other home seller packs ask about knotweed explicitly. Dr Sam Fowles explains the law, and who you can sue if you find yourself with unwanted knotweed after all.

Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Arlene Gregorius Editor: Tara McDermott Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Weekly conversation led by Dr Joelle Grogan about the law stories making the news and the legal decisions that could have a bearing on everyone in the UK. Whether it’s explaining a new law or seeking clarity for you on a legal issue, The Law Show will be your guide.

This week:

Water: from the cryptosporidium outbreak in tap water in Devon, to E. coli bacteria in the Thames, and sewage in rivers, lakes and seas across the country - what does the law say about clean water? What obligations do water companies have, who enforces this, and who keeps an eye on the enforcers? Do we have a right to clean water to drink or swim in? Joelle explores all this and more with Angus Evers, Partner and Head of Environment Law at Shoosmiths, and with Dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister and academic.

Divorce: in England and Wales, the only divorce available now is no-fault divorce, as a result of a law change that came into force last year. As family law solicitor Tracey Moloney points out though, you also need to get a financial order. If not, your ties haven't been fully severed, and your ex-spouse could make a financial claim in future. In Scotland, you need to prove irretrievable breakdown of the marriage to get a divorce, or that one of you is applying for a gender recognition certificate. In Northern Ireland, you need to cite reasons like adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion.

And: the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 was the last bill that became law just before parliament was dissolved for the general election. Under the Act, which covers England and Wales, leaseholders will gain more rights. For example, it will become easier and cheaper for them to buy their freehold, or extend leases to 990 years. There is also a ban on the sale of all new leasehold houses. But, the Act didn't cap, let alone abolish, ground rent, and hasn't come into force yet...

Producers: Ravi Naik and Arlene Gregorius Editor: Tara McDermott Production Co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Weekly conversation led by Dr Joelle Grogan about the law stories making the news and the legal decisions that could have a bearing on everyone in the UK. Whether it’s unpicking a landmark legal ruling, explaining how laws are made or seeking clarity for you on a legal issue, The Law Show will be your guide.

This week:

Assisted dying. Jersey, the Isle of Man, and Scotland are all taking steps towards making it legal to help someone die, in very specific and limited circumstances. It's currently a crime punishable by 14 years' imprisonment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Dr Joelle Grogan is joined by Professor Emily Jackson of the LSE, a specialist in medical law, and by barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman to navigate the law around assisted dying and to explain the differences between assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Is there a point to county court judgements if they can't be enforced? Social media's "legal queen", solicitor Tracey Maloney, answers a question from a listener, who got a county court judgment against a builder, but still hasn't got her money back.

Art or evidence? Drill music, with its sometimes violent-sounding words, has been used by the prosecution in criminal trials to help paint a picture of the defendants as gang members. But is it fair to claim lyrics like "try deadin' him" are proof of criminal intent, or are these words just fiction? Senior criminal barrister and co-founder of the "Art not Evidence" campaign Keir Monteith KC argues that drill is being used unfairly against Black boys and young men. The Crown Prosecution Service insists that they “would not use this evidence if it was not relevant.”

And a listener asks: is it legal to sunbathe naked in your garden?

Producers: Ravi Naik and Arlene Gregorius Editor: Tara McDermott Production co-ordinator: Maria Ogundele

Weekly conversation led by Dr Joelle Grogan that gives you an in-depth understanding of the law stories making the news and the legal decisions that could have a bearing on everyone in the UK. Whether it’s unpicking a landmark legal ruling, explaining how laws are made or seeking clarity for you on a legal issue, The Law Show will be your guide.

This week:

Protest law has been tightened up a lot in the last year, giving the police more leeway to stop disruption. But parts of the new powers have now been deemed unlawful by the High Court. So what is and isn't legal when it comes to protest? And how should the police handle protesters? Joelle explores all this with barrister Dr Sam Fowles and with Andy Walker from the College of Policing.

Is it legal to build on greenbelt land? Campaigners in Greater Manchester are taking legal action after Bury council announced plans to build 1500 homes on greenbelt.

And: why you may need a "Lasting Power of Attorney", even if you're married. If your spouse were to be incapacitated, being next of kin is not enough to make financial or health decisions about them. Social media's "legal queen", solicitor Tracey Maloney, talks us through how and when to get an LPA.

Producers: Ravi Naik and Arlene Gregorius Editor: Tara McDermott Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele

It’s a practical guide to navigating the law. Each week Joelle will be joined by a family of experts to offer in-depth understanding of the legal issues making the headlines, and explain how they affect us.

Whether it’s unpicking a landmark legal ruling, explaining how laws are made or seeking clarity for you on a legal issue, The Law Show will be your guide.

Dame Sue Carr, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, is the first Lady Chief Justice, the first woman to hold the role. She gives her first broadcast interview as head of the judiciary of England and Wales to Law in Action, for its farewell edition. She speaks about her priorities, hopes, and concerns, and marks the end of Law in Action by looking back at 40 years in the law. She also picks her favourite editions of the programme, and closes with a tribute to presenter Joshua Rozenberg.

Lord David Pannick KC is widely regarded as the most successful lawyer of his generation practising in his chosen area of the law, public law. Things might have turned out differently though: he had been approached to host Law in Action originally, and presented the pilot edition of the programme, produced by Joshua. He too looks back over the last 40 years and finds that much has changed in court.

We then look ahead to the future, and the next generation of those grappling with the law: we join 15-year old GCSE students at Trinity Academy in Brixton, south London, as they are taught The Big Legal Lesson - as part of a campaign by the charity Young Citizens. What do they make of the law?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison Editor: Clare Fordham

Following a Court of Appeal ruling this week about a case referred to the senior judges by the Attorney General, those charged with criminal damage for actions like throwing red paint at a building as a protest, can no longer use a certain defence to be acquitted. Parliament had intended the defence for different circumstances. Protesters used to be able to claim that had the owners of the damaged property known of the reasons for the damage, such as to highlight climate change, they'd have agreed to it. The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP speaks exclusively to Joshua Rozenberg about what this victory means.

Prisons are almost full, and to help make room, the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC MP has announced that prisoners meeting certain criteria can be released up to two months early. Prison campaigners must be pleased, or are they? Andrea Coomber KC (hon), chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, has a more mixed reaction.

How are prisons in England and Wales dealing with inmates with severe mental health needs? Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB), which are often called the eyes and ears of the public in prison, believe that too often prisons rely upon tough segregation units to manage inmates with mental health needs. IMB volunteers share their observations, and Elisabeth Davies, IMB National Chair, calls for a faster transfer to secure hospital units instead.

Awaab Ishak was aged just two when he died as a direct result of exposure to mould in the home his family rented from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. The coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report as a result, but it was only following a campaign by Awaab's parents and others that the law was changed. Awaab's Law, as it's being called, will specify the timeframes within which social landlords have to respond to complaints of mould. We hear from barrister Christian Weaver of Garden Court North, who represented Awaab's family.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Editor: Clare Fordham Production coordinator: Katie Morrison

How do we prevent young people from becoming involved in knife crime? Joshua speaks to 'Jay' who began carrying a knife in his early teens before being helped to change his perspective, and his life.

We explore the link between school exclusions and crime, and hear that workshops using graphic evidence to deter young people from carrying a knife can be counterproductive.

We also find out about innovative policing methods to deter young people from carrying knives, or, if they've been caught already, try and get them back onto the right track without prosecuting them in court or sending them to prison. Can treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy and mentoring, as well as help with education or employment, help young people turn their lives round?

Contributors: 'Jay' who carried knives as a young person Robin Lockhart, Director of Development, Catalyst in Communities Dr Charlotte Coleman, Deputy Head of Psychology, Sheffield Hallam University Aika Stephenson, Co-Founder and Legal Director, Just for Kids Law Dr Peter Neyroud, Associate Professor, Cambridge University Institute of Criminology Bruce Houlder KC, founder, Fighting Knife Crime London

Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researchers: Marianna Brain and Diane Richardson Editor: Tara McDermott Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison

The Post Office scandal is one of the UK's most widespread miscarriages of justice, with hundreds of people wrongfully convicted of theft or false accounting. In most of these cases, the Post Office was the investigator, prosecutor and the alleged victim.

Did Post Office lawyers act unethically by failing to disclose evidence that might have helped the people they were prosecuting? Might they face criminal proceedings for attempting to pervert the course of justice?

The Post Office no longer brings private prosecutions in cases such as this. But should we still be allowing anyone apart from a public prosecutor to bring criminal proceedings in the name of the state?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Diane Richardson Researcher: Marianna Brain Editor: Clare Fordham Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: Neil Churchill

Can juries acquit a defendant as a matter of conscience? For example, if people are accused of causing criminal damage as part of a protest, could the jury find them innocent despite the judge's directions? Joshua speaks to Clive Dolphin from Defend our Juries; Richard Vogler, Professor of Comparative Criminal Law & Criminal Justice, University of Sussex, and Tana Adkin KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.

There are currently around 5000 active satellites in space and that's expected to rise to 100,000 by 2030. Satellites generate debris, too, and even a tiny fleck of paint can cause serious damage when colliding with something else, due to the speeds involved. But who is liable if one satellite damages another? Joshua asks Rachael O'Grady, Partner at Mayer Brown if international space law is keeping up with technology.

If you find treasure in Scotland, can you keep it and will the finder receive a reward for declaring it? We hear from Glasgow University student Lucy Ankers who discovered a hoard of coins thought to be linked to the 1692 Glencoe massacre and Bobby Sandeman, Chief Executive of King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producers: Diane Richardson and Arlene Gregorius Sound: Graham Puddifoot and James Beard Editor: Carl Johnston

What if someone uses AI to create a fake version of your voice for their own aims? Recently, the actor, broadcaster and writer Stephen Fry found that someone had recreated his voice to narrate a documentary without his knowledge. What does the law have to say about deepfakes? What are your rights, and in which circumstances could someone be sued, or prosecuted? Associate solicitor Oliver Lock of Farrer & Co explains what the law can, and can't do.

Creating fakes with AI, and the software to detect them, is a growing field. The same is true of forensic speech recognition, which is done both by ear and machine and can help the police or a court identify whether a recording is the voice of a suspect, for example. Dr Anil Alexander of Oxford Wave Research Ltd plays some samples to presenter Joshua Rozenberg. Can he guess them right? And what other uses are there for this technology in law enforcement?

Forensic scientists are often called upon to give evidence in court, as are doctors. These expert witnesses are crucial, but things can go wrong. Some find cross-examination so bruising that they don't want to repeat it. Others fear for their reputation, if they're pushed into saying something they hadn't meant to say. Baroness Professor Sue Black is a leading forensic anthropologist and shares her thoughts.

Sometimes barristers and judges are out of their depth on the science of a case. One solution to this problem has been put forward by the independent scientific academy the Royal Society, with the Royal Society of Edinburgh: subject-specific primers on relevant topics. As Dame Dr Julie Maxton, executive director of the Royal Society explains, leading scientists write and peer-review the primers, such as on ballistics or DNA, and senior judges cross-check them from the legal perspective. The primers are online, aimed at judges but available for everyone. The hope is that if barristers fail to ask the right questions on the science, judges who've read the primers can then do so instead.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Editor: Clare Fordham Sound engineers: James Beard and Rod Farquhar Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Rosie Strawbridge

Last week, the House of Commons Justice Select Committee published a wide-ranging report about sentencing and public opinion. On the one hand, it said we shouldn't ignore what people think. On the other hand, MPs found that many people didn’t understand how sentencing worked. The justice committee's own research confirmed this lack of understanding. The committee's chair, the Conservative MP Sir Bob Neill, also points out the cost of longer sentences: £47,000 per prisoner per year.

Despite that level of expenditure, all is not well in the prisons of England & Wales. Self-harm, suicide and assault rates are all up. Prison officers are "voting with their feet," says Professor Alison Liebling, director of the Prisons Research Centre of Cambridge University's Institute of Criminology. She has been doing research in prisons for nearly 35 years, and thinks that this is "the most unstable, and unsafe period [she's] known". But she also has some suggestions for how to improve matters, and to free up prison spaces.

There's been yet another mass shooting in the United States, again involving a military-style assault weapon. Rather than try for tighter gun control to stop these killings, some people are taking the gun manufacturers to court instead. Chicago-based lawyer Antonio Romanucci is acting for many of those affected by a shooting in Chicago on Independence Day last year. They're bringing a civil claim under consumer marketing laws. Could it be successful?

The Scottish government is planning to give the people of Scotland new, enforceable human rights. These would largely be economic, social and cultural rights, as opposed to the current civil and political ones like freedom of speech. The plan is to incorporate several international treaties into Scottish law. The UK is a signatory to these treaties already, but the rights they proclaim can't be enforced through the courts. A new Human Rights bill in Scotland would change that. But could it avoid being scuppered by the limits of devolution?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineers: Neil Churchill and Graham Puddifoot

Following the events of the 7th October in which around 1400 people were killed in Israel and over 200 taken hostage, Israel has been striking back against Hamas in Gaza. What does international law say about self-defence and proportionate responses to attacks? Joshua Rozenberg asks expert Professor Guglielmo Verdirame KC of Kings College.

The government is proposing to rent prison space abroad, due to a risk of prison overcrowding here. There is precedent: Norway sent prisoners to a Dutch prison, for example. How did that work out in practice? What lessons were being learnt? Prisons expert Professor Alison Liebling of Cambridge University has studied and evaluated the Norwegian-Dutch case.

How safe are Joint Enterprise convictions for murder? As a result of legal action on behalf of JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association), the Crown Prosecution Service has started to gather, and publish, data about those charged with Joint Enterprise homicide or attempted homicide. The figures show that young black men are vastly overrepresented among those charged under the Joint Enterprise doctrine. The convictions are difficult to appeal, as the threshold is high. In 2016 the Supreme Court admitted the law had "taken a wrong turn" on Joint Enterprise for 30 years. What went wrong, and is it being put right? We hear from Professor Felicity Gerry KC, who led the defence in the 2016 Supreme Court case, and from someone who served a Joint Enterprise sentence for murder, even though he says he was not present at the killing and only found out about it afterwards.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Editor: Clare Fordham Sound engineers: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele

The new Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC MP speaks to Joshua Rozenberg. How does he respond to criticisms levelled at the reforms of the Parole Board proposed in the Victims and Prisoners Bill? And how does he reconcile his wish to "provide individuals with the due process which is the hallmark of our legal system" with some aspects of the Home Office's Illegal Migration Bill, that aims to stop people crossing to the UK in small boats? Mr Chalk also speaks about new measures to protect investigative journalists from malicious libel actions, and confirms that the new Lord Chief Justice will be a woman, for the first time in a thousand years.

Most of the senior judges in England and Wales are male, white, middle-aged and former barristers. The new head of the Judicial Appointments Commission, Helen Pitcher, in her first broadcast interview, tells Joshua that diversity is very important and admits its an issue in the judiciary. So how will she increase it? We hear about projects and research to help remove barriers and ensure senior judges reflect the society they serve.

What is it like to do your job after a diagnosis of Parkinson's? The condition affects people differently, but many have a tremor, fatigue, reduced mobility in their arms, legs, or both, and some can have depression. Joshua meets a High Court judge, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, to find out how he has been able to carry on working despite the condition. What are employees' rights in this case? And what is it like for those in other lines of work? We also hear from a nurse with Parkinson's on how she does it.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Bethan Ashmead Latham Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Editor: Clare Fordham

Is the Parole Board getting it right with prisoner releases? Last year, the then Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab thought not, and introduced reform proposals to, as he saw it, re-prioritise public protection and trust in justice. These proposals are in the Victims and Prisoners Bill that's now before parliament. But the Parole Board tell Joshua Rozenberg that public protection is their top priority anyway, and that only 0.5% of those they release go on to commit other serious offences.

What can the law do when a husband takes his wife on a trip abroad, such as to his or her country of origin, and abandons her there, without the means to return? Typically in such cases, the man confiscates his wife's passport, documents and mobile phone, and then returns to the UK without her. If there are any children, the husband takes those with him, leaving the wife and children separated from each other. Often, the wife's right to live in or return to the UK is tied to her marital status. We hear from someone who became a victim of "transnational marriage abandonment" as it's called, when she was taken back to India.

Artificial Intelligence or AI is changing how we live and work. Generative AI is able to produce written texts and many other types of content, including soon perhaps legal documents. Could such AI be used to deliver justice more quickly and cheaply than lawyers and judges? What safeguards should there be? And could it help clear huge backlogs in the courts? Joshua speaks with Professor Richard Susskind, one of the world's leading experts on AI and the law.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Bethan Ashmead Latham Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Editor: Clare Fordham

The law is having to deal with new challenges due to climate change. Is it a human right to be protected from global warming? Do the 46 member states of the Council of Europe have to reduce carbon emissions faster to protect their citizens' right to life? The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has been asked to rule on these questions. We hear about the case of the Swiss 'Klimaseniorinnen', elderly women arguing that climate change-induced heatwaves threaten their lives.

The little-known Energy Charter Treaty enables companies to sue governments for compensation for the loss of predicted profits, if signatory states reduce the value of contracts such as by banning new fossil fuel extraction projects. Could this deter countries from passing the carbon-reduction measures necessary to combat climate change? Or is the ECT a tool worth keeping, as it also protects renewable energy contracts that governments promised subsidies for?

What are the ethical choices for climate-conscious lawyers when it comes to either representing fossil fuel companies, or prosecuting climate change protesters? Could, or even should, lawyers refuse to act for certain clients, or to prosecute certain defendants? What's more important: fighting global warming or ensuring access to justice for all and upholding the rule of the law as it stands? We discuss the dilemmas, and some new guidance for lawyers.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Bethan Ashmead Latham Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill Editor: Simon Watts

Photo of Swiss 'Klimaseniorinnen' activists at Strasbourg on 29.3.2023: © Greenpeace / Shervine Nafissi

Conviction rates for rape trials are lower than those for other criminal trials, and the court experience can be intrusive and harrowing for survivors. The Law Commission of England and Wales (the independent body that advises the government on law reform), has just published a new consultation paper for how to change this. Criminal law commissioner Prof Penney Lewis, and before her Independent Sexual Violence Adviser Annabelle Edwards of Rape Crisis, speak about the reforms they'd like to see.

The Scottish government's Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) bill also aims to improve rape trials. If passed, it would abolish the "not proven" option for acquittal, create specialist rape courts, and controversially establish the option of judge-only, non-jury trials as a pilot scheme, as it's feared rape myths might influence some jurors. Fiona Leverick, professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Glasgow and Tony Lenehan KC, president of the Faculty of Advocates' Criminal Bar Association discuss the bill.

The Hollywood stars and former married couple Johnny Depp and Amber Heard faced each other during two separate libel trials that asked whether or not Mr Depp physically abused Ms Heard. Depp lost the first case, against the owners of the Sun newspaper. It was heard by a judge in the High Court in London. Depp won the second case, against his ex-wife, decided by a jury in the United States. Nick Wallis is the only journalist to have covered both trials. He contrasts them in his new book "Depp v Heard, the Unheard Story".

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Bethan Ashmead Latham Sound engineer: Neil Churchill Editor: Clare Fordham Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

For a special edition recorded on location in Belfast, Joshua Rozenberg returns to Northern Ireland 25 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, which he reported on at the time. Meeting old contacts and new, he finds out what it took to get the negotiations over the line and what legacy the ground-breaking peace deal has had. He also hears about the challenges involved in achieving justice for the murders that remain unsolved; what problems remain with paramilitaries; and the UK government's attempt to bring about reconciliation. Will its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill help, or rub salt in old wounds? And on the legal differences between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, Joshua meets a campaigner who had to travel to England to have an abortion. As a result of an intervention by the Westminster government, terminations have since become legal (up to a point in the pregnancy), but some women still have to leave Northern Ireland to have the procedure.

Guests: Denis Murray, former BBC Ireland correspondent Peter Sheridan, former senior police officer, now CEO of Cooperation Ireland Louise Mallinder, professor of law at Queen's University Belfast Naomi Connor, co-convener of Alliance for Choice

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Studio Engineer: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Simon Watts

New evidence shows that if a rape case actually comes to court, then - despite popular perceptions - juries are more likely to convict than not, says Professor Cheryl Thomas of UCL.

The UK’s forensic science used to be considered the gold standard, but no longer. The risk of miscarriages of justice is growing. And now a new Westminster Commission is trying to find out what went wrong. Joshua talks to its co-chair, leading forensic scientist Dr Angela Gallop CBE, and to criminal defence barrister Katy Thorne KC.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill KC speaks to Joshua about all this, and about his record as the head of the Crown Prosecution Service. Max Hill also breaks the news that he will not seek a second term.

From Epstein to Trump: are America’s rich and powerful above the law? The former New York prosecutor and now CNN's senior legal analyst Elie Honig argues that they are, and has just written a book about this: 'Untouchable — How powerful people get away with it'.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Editor: Simon Watts Sound engineer: James Beard Picture credit: Nicholas Posner

There are strikes again this week, by junior doctors, and train and tube drivers. The government's Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) bill aims to require sectors like health, education and transport to provide a "minimum" of services even on strike days. It would let employers, including government departments, issue "work notices" - lists of which staff have to work on strike days. But how will they decide who should be on the "work notice"?

When someone is seriously ill, they or their family are often faced with other problems, such as a sudden drop in income, or unsuitable housing. Many don't know what help they're entitled to, or how to get it. Joshua Rozenberg visits a "Health Justice Partnership", where doctors and legal advisers are located in the same building, and patients are referred to the advice team. He finds it's making a big difference to families.

When a piece of Artificial Intelligence software learns about images by being fed pre-existing, copyrighted versions of images, and then goes on to produce a new image of its own, is that a breach of copyright? That's what the High Court in London will have to decide, in a case in which Getty Images - a digital picture library - is suing Stability AI, whose artificial intelligence image-generating software was trained with a very large number of images, including (but not only) Getty's. The court's decision will in effect become new law. What impact could it have on the digital, creative sector?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Editor: Simon Watts

A year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Joshua asks Attorney General Victoria Prentis MP and Professor Philippe Sands KC how the law can help to deliver justice for Ukraine. Could Russia's leaders be tried for the crime of aggression?

What can be done about the form of potentially abusive litigation known as a SLAPP?

Plus, we meet the Ukrainian lawyers brining their skills to the UK.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Simon Watts Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck Sound Engineer: James Beard

The international lawyer Robert Spano, originally from Iceland, has just completed his nine-year stint as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. For the last two and half of those nine years, he was the president of the court. In an exclusive interview with Joshua Rozenberg, he shares his thoughts on the relationship between the UK and the ECHR, on the Justice Secretary Dominic Raab’s planned Bill of Rights, and on the future of democracy in Europe. Photo credit: Picture Credit: Image of Robert Spano, former President of the ECHR by Candice Imbert, Council of Europe. Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Sound engineers: James Beard in London and Matthieu Zisswiller in Strasbourg Researcher: Diane Richardson Production coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Simon Watts

Is the UK on a collision course with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg? So far the UK's relationship with the ECHR has been a good one, and the UK has proportionately fewer cases before the court than the other 45 member states. But might Justice Secretary Dominic Raab's Bill of Rights bill change that? Former judge Robert Spano, the president of the ECHR until last month, speaks to Joshua Rozenberg.

Is it time to improve the legal protection of the UK's 3.6 million cohabiting couples? Many wrongly believe that after a period of time together or having children, they have similar rights to married couples or people in civil partnerships. But that is not the case, and the government recently rejected the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee's recommended reforms. In Scotland, cohabiting couples gained some statutory rights for the first time in 2006, but a report by the Scottish Law Commission now says that they need to be updated and made fairer.

What is mine and what yours? Not always easy to answer. Say you're on a plane, and are using your tray table when the person in front of you reclines their seat - who owns the space above your knees? You or the other passenger? The authors of the book 'Mine!' tackle some ownership conundrums.

And to end the series we hear some powerful reflections from Robert Spano on the future of democracy.

Picture Credit: Image of Robert Spano, former President of the ECHR by Candice Imbert, Council of Europe.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Sound engineer: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Simon Watts

Climate change activists have caused a lot of disruption over the past year, and recently also made headlines with stunts like throwing tomato soup at a Van Gogh painting in the National Gallery. The government's response has been to tighten up protest law; first in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and now in the Public Order bill currently going through Parliament. What is and isn't illegal now? What could become illegal soon? And how are the police interpreting new laws that rely on their discretion, such as whether a protest is too noisy?

Can rap lyrics amount to confessions to murder? Song lyrics are usually understood to be fiction - Tom Jones's 'Delilah' isn't an admission that the Welsh singer actually stabbed an unfaithful girlfriend, and Bob Marley never "shot the sheriff". But in California rap lyrics have been presented as evidence in criminal prosecutions in such a way that the state has now legislated to restrict the use of those lyrics in trials. And a murder conviction has been overturned, and a retrial ordered, for a rapper convicted on the grounds of his lyrics.

Where would you go for free legal advice? Probably not a university, but in Liverpool people can now get appointments with law students at Liverpool John Moores University, who will conduct an interview them and produce a letter of advice, all under the supervision of solicitors, and free of charge. There's something in it for the students too: they gain practical experience which counts towards their course, and later on towards their qualifying examination.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Production coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Sound engineer: James Beard Editor: Simon Watts

The government is currently committed to a bonfire of laws which were inherited from the EU after Brexit - including things like the right to four weeks' paid annual leave. The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 requires government departments to check over 2400 laws; then decide which ones to keep, which ones to amend, and which ones to let disappear from the statute books. Those chosen to be kept or amended will have to get through parliament by the end of next year, if they are to remain in force. A useful cleansing of the statute books, or a loss of consumer, worker and environmental rights?

Why does Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister want to raise the age of criminal responsibility? It's currently set at the age of ten, the same as that of England and Wales, although not Scotland. This is very low by international standards.

Are young adult defendants being unfairly pressurised into pleading guilty? The campaigning organisation Fair Trials says that 18-24-year olds sometimes get as little as 30 minutes to make a potentially life-changing decision. There is an incentive of getting a third off a prison sentence for pleading guilty at the first opportunity - Fair Trails say young defendants can fail to realise the long-term consequences of making such a plea.

Can podcasts help bring about justice or do they run the risk of prejudicing trials? We hear about the Australian true crime podcast ‘The Teacher’s Pet’, which has now helped solve a murder from 1982. The victim’s husband was convicted and is about to be sentenced.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Sound engineer: Graham Puddifoot Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Simon Watts

How can a court decide that a young woman is to have medical treatment without her knowledge or that of her mother or guardian? The Court of Protection - which rules on cases involving 'protected' persons who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves - sometimes holds 'closed hearings' that are secret to one or more of the parties, and to the public. Why are those hearings used, and can it ever be justified for the secrecy to lead to public misinformation?

The law now treats animals very differently than in the past. A new book describes how in medieval Europe, they could even be prosecuted - in one case, a pig was actually sentenced to death for the murder of a child.

But nowadays cases involving animals focus on their welfare. A campaigning organisation has been granted a court hearing to examine if the breeding of Britain’s fast-growing broiler chickens is detrimental to their health and welfare, and therefore in breach of the law.

Nearly 3000 prisoners are continuing to serve more than their original sentence - sometimes over a decade more - because they are subject to “Imprisonment for Public Protection”. Some have never been released, others have been recalled to prison, even though IPP sentences were abolished in 2012. The Justice Select Committee has now called on the Government to review these sentences, with the aim of release for most. Members of the House of Lords agree, saying this form of detention is unjust.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Production coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Simon Watts

Prison education is “chaotic”, says the House of Commons Education Select Committee, and often “inadequate” says Ofsted. Yet, if done right, it can help reduce offending, and the number of victims, by giving prisoners the skills they need to get a job upon release. It’s no small task. Over half of prisoners have reading ages below 11. A large proportion have special educational needs. Many were expelled from school and have no qualifications. Yet education doesn’t seem to have been a priority. Now the government has promised a "step-change" for an improved Prisoners Education Service for England and Wales in its White Paper. Can it deliver? In a special edition of Law in Action Joshua Rozenberg speaks to people whose expertise and experience spans the spectrum of prison education:

• Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor • Chair of the Education Select Committee Robert Halfon MP • Governor Steven Johnson, Head of Reducing Reoffending at HMP Leeds, who speaks on education for the Prison Governors Association • Open University criminology lecturer, manager for students in secure environments, PhD candidate and former prisoner Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski • David Breakspear, former prisoner and prison education campaigner • Joe Tarbert, Employment Support and Partnerships Manager at Redemption Roasters • Neah, former prisoner and trainee barista at Redemption Roasters

Joshua puts some of their concerns to the Prisons Minister Victoria Atkins MP, and hears about the government's plans to improve prison education.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Editor: Hugh Levinson Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

Can the proposed British Bill of Rights be compatible with international law? Joshua Rozenberg speaks to Mark Elliott, Professor of Public Law and Chair of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge.

How can law firms become more welcoming to people with disabilities? Law in Action's Octavia Woodward tests the wheelchair access at Barristers' Chambers 7 Bedford Row. Plus barristers Holly Girven and Disability's Not a Bar co-host Haleemah Sadia Farooq share their experiences of disability and the law.

Do we need a change in the law to bring more cases of corporate fraud to court? The Director of Public Prosecutions sets out his plans.

Also what makes a good judge? "If the party that loses pays you a compliment, then I feel that's a job well done." Lady Rose of Colmworth, justice of the UK Supreme Court talks about balancing fairness and empathy.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Reporter: Octavia Woodward Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Producer: Diane Richardson Editor: Hugh Levinson

Explaining the barriers to conviction at every stage of the criminal justice system. Prosecutions for the crime have declined by 40% over the last four years in England and Wales, although they have gone up in Scotland and Northern Ireland. And yet the number of cases reported to the police is higher than ever. What is going wrong? And what needs to change so that more survivors get justice - and to reduce the threat from rapists? Joshua Rozenberg is joined by a specialist panel drawn from across the criminal justice system, to find out where the problems lie. They debate what could be done differently, so that fewer cases result in no further action being taken, or with survivors dropping out of the legal process. And he hears first-person testimony from a woman who was raped, who describes her subsequent experience with police and prosecutors.

Panellists: - Alice Kelly, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Southeast, Crown Prosecution Service - Betsy Stanko OBE, emeritus Professor of Criminology, strategic advisor to the Home Office's Operation Soteria Bluestone, and formerly of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime - Claire Waxman OBE, Victims Commissioner for London - Kirsty Brimelow QC, Vice Chair of The Criminal Bar Association - Sarah Crew, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset police and National Lead for rape and serious sexual offences at the Police Chiefs Council - Wendy Williams CBE, Her Majesty’s Inspector of the Constabulary for the Wales and Western Region

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Ben Cooper Researcher: Diane Richardson Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound recording: James Beard Sound mixing: Neil Churchill

"We can't conduct effective, timely investigations by remote control in The Hague." International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan QC speaks about the efforts and challenges facing investigators on the ground in Ukraine.

Why lawyers in Scotland are boycotting some domestic abuse cases in a dispute about legal aid.

Plus, if you place a bet on a winning horse, does the bookmaker have to pay out if they make a mistake?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producers: Diane Richardson and Arlene Gregorius Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Hugh Levinson

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab speaks to Joshua Rozenberg about the UK's support for the International Criminal Court's efforts to prosecute any Russians who may have committed war crimes in Ukraine. He outlines plans to boost the legal aid budget, and thus the incomes of criminal barristers - but when will they actually get any of the money? Mr Raab also explains why he is replacing the Human Rights Act with a new Bill of Rights.

The vast majority of senior judges are former barristers, and most are white men. Is the recruitment system skewed against solicitors and minorities? Solicitors insist it is, but the Judicial Appointments Commission strongly denies this. Joshua hears the arguments on both sides.

“No fault divorce” is set to come into effect in April. Will it free couples from unnecessary acrimony and costs, or make it too easy to split up?

Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researchers: Octavia Woodward and Imogen Serwotka Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jacqui Johnson Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Hugh Levinson

Has silencing journalists with libel claims now become harder? The High Court dismissed a suit by a Kazakhstan company against journalist Tom Burgis, author of 'Kleptopia'. The phenomenon of foreign individuals or companies using the favourable libel laws and high financial risks of the system in England and Wales is sometimes called "libel tourism" or even "lawfare". Some fear it has allowed Russian oligarchs in particular to stifle criticism. Joshua Rozenberg asks if this case could signal the end of that trend. Class actions, or collective actions as they're called in the UK, are new on this side of the Atlantic. How do they work, and could millions of passengers stand to benefit from a case against some rail companies? A little-noticed part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would criminalise trespass and "residing, or intending to reside, on land without consent in or with a vehicle". Gypsy, Roma and Travellers say that threatens their lifestyle and makes nomadism illegal. But the Government argues it would prevent "boundless misery to local communities without consequence". Joshua hears the arguments on both sides.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researchers: Octavia Woodward and Imogen Serwotka Sound: Rod Farquhar Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jacqui Johnson Editor: Hugh Levinson

Is Scotland's Gender Recognition bill a progressive step forward, or a threat to women? Joshua Rozenberg investigates the legislation, which removes the need for medical evidence when changing gender and reduces the age at which this can be done. Lawyers in the City of London bring in billions of pounds to the UK economy. English law is popular overseas for its predictability and for the independence of its judges. But is this reputation as a beacon for the rule of law being eroded by a lack of court funding and also by what some see as government undermining the judiciary? Fears raised by the Lord Chief Justice and echoed by the body representing City of London solicitors. And why is there still a pay gap between male and female barristers? Producer: Arlene Gregorius Research: Octavia Woodward and Imogen Serwotka Sound: Graham Puddifoot Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jacqui Johnson Editor: Hugh Levinson

How does international criminal law regard Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Joshua Rozenberg speaks to Professor Philippe Sands QC, whose grandfather was forced to flee the Ukrainian city of Lviv over a century ago . Is our democracy being eroded by the government, by reducing parliament’s opportunities for scrutiny? Two reports from the House of Lords Select Committees, titled "Government by Diktat" and "Democracy Denied", say there is an urgent need to return power to parliament. They worry about power grabs and an increased use of secondary legislation - ie laws made by ministers, that can’t be amended by MPs or peers. One recent piece of secondary legislation made it legal in England for children in care aged 16 and above to be housed in unsupervised adult accommodation such as hostels. Joshua hears from a care-experienced writer what that was like, and the risks that vulnerable children might face in such housing. The law is now being challenged in the courts.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researchers: Octavia Woodward and Matt Toulson Sound: Rod Farquhar Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jacqui Johnson Editor: Hugh Levinson

Joshua Rozenberg places under the microscope a controversial lawsuit aimed at the governing bodies of rugby. Players diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, believed to be the result of repeated concussions, claim the sport neglected their duty of care. Did they?

He also hears polar opposite views on whether or not thousands more civilian magistrates should be recruited to our courts: Justice Haddon Cave, the senior presiding judge for England and Wales, is in favour of the drive, whilst the anonymous and controversial author known as ‘The Secret Barrister’ is against.

Finally, Joshua hears from the hugely successful barrister and judge, Barbara Mills QC, about a hard-hitting report which exposes a lack of diversity at the bar.

If you need support with dementia, help and support is available via BBC Action Line.

Joshua Rozenberg speaks to a former jailhouse lawyer about his time behind bars and the cases he tackled on behalf of his fellow inmates. He also hears from well-known broadcaster, Stephen Nolan, about the extraordinary steps he took in tracking down, and launching a libel action against, a social media troll. And Lord Pannick QC, one of the most successful barristers of his generation, discusses the lasting value of courtroom advocacy. Producer: Paul Connolly Researcher: Louise Byrne Sound: Andy Garratt Editor: Hugh Levinson

Joshua Rozenberg examines the phenomenon of false memories and the impact they can have on courtroom testimony. Can our recollections ever be trusted fully? And, if not, how profound are the implications for the criminal justice system?

He speaks to Sir Andrew McFarlane, the senior family judge in England and Wales, about his plans to open up the family courts to reporting by accredited journalists and specialist bloggers.

And Derek Sweeting QC, chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales, tells Joshua why he believes the largest funding increase in more than a decade for the justice system still doesn't go far enough.

Producer: Paul Connolly Researcher: Louise Byrne Sound: James Beard Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Sabine Schereck

Joshua Rozenberg speaks to women judges whose lives have been at risk since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan. Forced to leave their high-profile careers behind, many are faced with an impossible dilemma: do they choose a potential escape to freedom? Or do they stay with their families, in hiding and on the run?

Ahead of Cop26, Joshua wades into a burning debate on whether or not fossil fuel companies are entitled to compensation from governments which make the switch to cleaner, renewable energy ahead of schedule.

And he speaks to Christian Weaver, a young barrister whose new book aims to educate the public about their legal rights in 60 second bursts.

Producer: Paul Connolly Researcher: Louise Byrne Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar

Fighting knife crime before it happens; Scotland's "not proven" verdicts; and the law on automated cars.

Knife crime in England and Wales is at its highest in ten years. Some young people can find it hard to resist gangs or knives for what they see as self-protection. Often they end up in the criminal justice system. Some argue the law is not the answer. But what is the alternative? We hear from a youth worker at the successful youth centre Youth Futures, and from a retired senior criminal barrister, who has launched an online one-stop-shop, fightingknifecrime.london, for those seeking or offering help to keep young people out of trouble.

In Scotland, juries can find defendants guilty, not guilty or not proven. If guilt is "not proven", the defendant is acquitted and regarded as innocent in law. Should that third option be abolished? Juries often use "not proven" in rape cases, if they feel guilt has not been proven 'beyond reasonable doubt' (the requirement for a guilty verdict) but nor do they want to imply they disbelieved the alleged victim. Now some campaigners want to abolish the "not proven" option, as research has shown that if it didn't exist, more juries would find the accused guilty, even in rape cases.

The government has announced that cars will be allowed to steer themselves in slow-moving motorway traffic, so long as they had been approved for use with automated lane-keeping systems. But what does the law say about liability for automated vehicles? Who is responsible if there is an accident? Is it the driver or the car manufacturer? What changes are being introduced by this year's Automated and Electric Vehicles Act and the planned changes to the Highway Code?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson

It’s illegal to ride a private e-scooter on public roads or pavements – but the rules for the new, council approved e-scooter rental schemes are different. We navigate the maze of laws and regulations to ask what’s allowed, required or illegal.

Billionaires are about to fly into space, but what is the legal framework for this? What if your rocket hits my satellite? We boldly go into space law.

Why coal tip laws brought in following the Aberfan disaster do not protect the public and need to be reformed.

And the changing face of the legal profession – criminal barrister Mark Robinson shows that lawyers come from a greater range of backgrounds now – he didn’t have any GCSEs, but a career as a DJ.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producers: Diane Richardson and Arlene Gregorius

Thousands of people have received fixed penalty notices for breaching Covid-19 restrictions, even though no offence had actually been committed in their cases. Yet there is no appeals procedure, and not paying the fines risks a criminal record. So what should happen with them?

Sir Geoffrey Vos, the master of the rolls and head of civil justice, reveals how new online systems are increasingly doing away with the need to go to court. The legal profession used to be dominated by middle-aged, middle-class, white men, but that has been changing, and this year I. Stephanie Boyce became the first person of colour to be elected president of the Law Society, the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales. What are her priorities for her tenure?

The recent quashing of the convictions for theft and false accounting of 39 sub-postmasters after Britain's biggest miscarriage of justice has laid open the world of private criminal prosecutions. It was not the Crown Prosecution Service that took the sub-postmasters to court, but the Post Office itself. Should private prosecutions now be regulated? Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson

Traumatic brain injury can cause neurological changes that make people more impulsive, less able to control their reactions, and less able to understand others. Therefore it's associated with violent crime. An estimated 60% of those in prison have a history of brain injury. But is prison the best place for them, and their rehabilitation? The criminal justice system is taking an ever greater interest in how to deal with traumatic brain injury. We hear about a Thames Valley Police pilot project to keep offenders out of prison, pre-sentence screening in the UK and elsewhere, and about an innovative court for those aged 18-25 in New Zealand.

Brain injury is as common among women prisoners, often due to a history of suffering domestic violence. For these women their injuries, compounded by other factors, lead to mental health issues so serious that it's estimated that three quarters of them have tried to take their own lives. What are prisons doing to help them? And what about women prisoners' additional burdens, such as anxiety about separation from their children, which affects them more than men? Can a new report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons point to ways forward for England and Wales?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson

Judicial Review is a mechanism to check the legality of decisions or actions by public bodies such as the government or parliament. But has this turned into "politics by another means"? The government commissioned Lord Faulks and a panel of experts to examine this question, and to make recommendations for reform. The report was published last week. But does the government now want to go much further than the recommendations in the report?

Should there be legal aid for bereaved families whose relative died in the care of the state, such as in prison, a police cell or in a mental health in-patient setting? These deaths trigger "Article 2 inquests", referring to the right to life, protected under the European Convention on Human Rights. The coroner will want to find out what went wrong, so it doesn't happen again. The state has legal representation to defend itself, but the families often can't afford the specialist lawyers that, campaigners argue, are required for a level playing field.

Family breakdown can mean former partners end up in court to try and resolve disputes. This can be time-consuming, with long delays, and be very costly. Could family arbitration be the solution? We eavesdrop on a mock arbitration to find out how it works. And how much cheaper are they really?

Which UK elections can EU citizens vote in, and in what parts of the country? The answer is surprisingly complex for the votes in May - and will become more so in future elections.

Details of organisations offering information and support with bereavement are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information on 08000 158 707.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson

(Image: Lord Faulks. Credit: UK Parliament)

Around the world environmentalists are taking governments and companies to court to fight climate change. Joshua Rozenberg explores how the law is evolving into a powerful activists' tool.

In the first case of its kind, in a ruling that was upheld by the Dutch Supreme Court, the Netherlands were found to have a duty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% compared to 1990, and this by December of last year. What happened?

Apart from governments, companies are being sued by individuals or shareholders. For example, a Peruvian farmer has filed a case in a German court against a German electricity company for what he claims is its role in warming up the climate enough for him to be threatened by flooding as a nearby Andean glacier melts.

In Poland activist shareholders sued the board of their utility company to stop the development of a new coal mine, claiming an "indefensible" financial risk, due to rising carbon costs and falling renewables prices.

And senior lawyers are developing the concept of "ecocide", with the aim to make it an indictable offence at the International Criminal Court, analogous to genocide or crimes against humanity.

So how is the law evolving to tackle climate change, asks Joshua Rozenberg.

Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson

Amy Jeffress, the US lawyer of Anne Sacoolas, speaks exclusively to Joshua Rozenberg, about the accident that led to the death of Northamptonshire teenager Harry Dunn, and its aftermath.

Scotland needs the agreement of the Westminster-based UK government to hold a referendum about independence legally. So far Downing Street has indicated that the UK would not agree to a second referendum in the short term. But could there be legal options around the need for Westminster's approval?

And jabs for jobs? Can vaccination be made compulsory in some circumstances? What are your rights if your employer requires you to be vaccinated to come to work? Or if your employee refuses to be vaccinated? And what about companies - from cinemas to airlines - can they legally require proof of vaccination from their customers?

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson

A civil claim has been launched in the state of Virginia by the parents of Harry Dunn, who was killed in Northamptonshire in 2019 when his motorcycle was in collision with a car driven on the wrong side of the road by Anne Sacoolas. What are Harry's parents hoping to get out of it? Joshua Rozenberg speaks to their American lawyer. Picture Credit: Justice4Harry19

The number of cases waiting to be tried at Crown Courts in England and Wales is now over 56,000. We examine the backlog viewed from the perspective of a juror, a barrister and a judge.

We ask what effect the pandemic has had on prisoners, and on those serving indefinite sentences.

And the Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland QC reveals new proposals to allow deaf people to sit on juries, as part of a plan to allow remote juries in England and Wales, even after the pandemic.

Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Remembering Jack Merritt, who was murdered in the attack at London Bridge in November 2019. He and Saskia Jones, who was also killed, were associated with an offender rehabilitation programme at Cambridge University called Learning Together. The murderer was a former prisoner attending a conference at Fishmongers Hall to mark its fifth anniversary. Earlier in 2019, Law in Action had interviewed Jack Merritt and some of the prisoners he was supporting at Warren Hill Prison in Suffolk. A year on, we hear about his legacy. Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Paul Connolly Researcher: Diane Richardson

How has the North Kensington Law Centre managed to keep going for 50 years when other social legal advice providers have run out of money? One reason must be the vision of Peter Kandler, 85, who set up the UK’s first law centre in a former butcher’s shop and is still closely involved in running it today. He tells Joshua Rozenberg that, half a century on, the centre is now coping with housing and immigration problems that he thought were a thing of the past.

Picture: Peter Kandler, founder of North Kensington Law Centre courtesy of Law Centres Network. The programme includes an Extract from 'North Kensington Law Centre', © Crown copyright/BFI - British Film Institute or BFI Player.

The lessons of history: what the Great Fire of London can teach us about dealing with a modern plague. And, as the lord chief justice tells his judges to keep calm and carry on — despite the lockdown to be introduced in England on Thursday — we ask whether the Nightingale courts of England and Wales could learn a thing or two from the Odeon courts of Scotland. Joshua Rozenberg reports.

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

An independent investigation into the International Criminal Court has revealed examples of bullying, sexual harassment and judicial incompetence. Victims of war crimes are having to wait a lifetime for reparations. But, as Joshua Rozenberg has been hearing, those same victims are hugely grateful to a court that has given them a voice.

And with a week to go before the presidential election, courts across the United States have already been dealing with voting-related challenges. Will the next US president be chosen by the judges?

The former president of the Supreme Court, Lord Neuberger, says the government's Internal Market Bill is a threat to the nation's reputation as a stalwart of the rule of law, especially when it is asking citizens to abide by restrictions during the pandemic. "It is a massive own goal for the government to be announcing to the people of this country that it does not keep its word, that it does not obey international law," he tells Joshua.

Extract from video of ICC court proceedings courtesy of the International Criminal Court.

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

How can the courts cope with the constraints of Coronavirus? That’s the challenge facing Lord Burnett of Maldon, head of the judiciary in England and Wales. Joshua Rozenberg asks the Lord Chief Justice whether new ways of working can deliver justice at a time of crisis.

Among those innovations is mediation, Law in Action speaks to a court-based mediator and a court user whose case was resolved without leaving home.

And we find out how lockdown is changing the civil courts. Can remote hearings work effectively?

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

A poker player who used a Victorian conjuring trick to win £7.7 million from a London casino left court empty-handed in 2017 after a court found he “took positive steps to fix the deck”. But now judges have decided that the ruling in Phil Ivey’s case should be the test for dishonesty. Joshua Rozenberg explains how it works, while a gambler tells us that the courts have got it wrong.

Also this week, how do you ensure social distancing in a crowded detention centre?

And how is lockdown affecting the work of the civil justice system?

Contributors: Dr Natalie Byrom, director of research at the Legal Education Foundation Toufique Hossain, director of public law at Duncan Lewis Solicitors Richard Munchkin, host, “Gambling with an Edge” podcast Professor David Ormerod, University College London

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

Can virtual courts deliver justice? We speak to participants of a mock jury trial held by law reform group Justice, with legal teams and jurors replacing the courtroom with the sitting room.

Scotland's second most senior judge, Lord Justice Clerk Lady Dorrian, outlines how socially distanced jury trials can resume safely in July.

And Joshua Rozenberg asks Director of Service Prosecutions Andrew Cayley QC if the Service Prosecuting Authority is prosecuting cases of rape and sexual assault effectively and whether charges are likely to be brought against British military personnel accused of offences against Iraqi civilians.

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

Earlier this year, Airbus was ordered to pay nearly €1bn by a criminal court in London. The penalty, for failure to prevent bribery, was more than twice the fines paid by defendants in England and Wales for the whole of 2018. In addition, the global aerospace company was required to pay fines totalling €2.6bn in France and the United States. But Airbus has not been convicted of any crimes and nobody has gone to prison. Joshua Rozenberg Investigates deferred prosecution agreements.

Contributors: Tim Bowden, partner, Dechert Alex Brummer, City editor of the Daily Mail Toby Duthie, co-founder, Forensic Risk Alliance Duncan Hames, director of policy, Transparency International Laura Haywood, case controller, Serious Fraud Office Eric Russo, prosecutor, Parquet National Financier Janette Rutterford, emeritus professor of finance and financial history, Open University Business School

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

Recent high-profile discrimination claims have cast a media spotlight on the employment tribunals of England, Wales and Scotland. But how good are they are at resolving disputes between employers and staff? How independent are they of the government? And how well have they recovered from fee increases that meant some employment judges had to move jobs?

Why an autistic man’s experiments with explosives were lawful. Joshua speaks to Jonathan Hall QC, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation about the case of Chez Copeland, who spent almost two years in a maximum security prison for setting off explosions in his garden.

Also US courtroom drama Judge Judy is to end after 25 years. Joshua asks Adam Benforado, associate professor of law, about the show’s legacy and popularity.

Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

Tucked away in the City of London is one of the UK’s most successful invisible exports. But is the Commercial Court threatened by international developments? Joshua Rozenberg investigates.

Italy has extended its emergency coronavirus measures and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has ordered people to stay at home. Lawyer Mariella Melandri tells Law In Action how this is affecting her legal practice and clients.

The government is planning emergency legislation allowing people who are forced to self-isolate to appear in court by video link or telephone. Is this an adequate substitute for a face-to-face hearing? Joshua speaks to immigration barrister Colin Yeo.

Also, is India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) unconstitutional? Dr Rahul Rao, Senior Lecturer in Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University, explains why this controversial law is being challenged in the Indian Supreme Court.

Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Di Richardson

Imagine what it must be like to be a child with autism. Your school won’t give you the support you need. But challenging that decision involves giving evidence at a tribunal where the lighting seems dazzling and the air-conditioning sounds deafening. Joshua Rozenberg reports from a tribunal in Glasgow designed by children for children. He visits a unique sensory room designed to put children with autism at their ease and help them speak for themselves.

Also, could Manchester City FC overturn their UEFA ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport? Joshua speaks to Christopher Flanagan, editor of The International Sports Law Journal.

Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

The Parole Board will soon have to decide whether it’s safe to release prisoners convicted of low-level terrorist offences. But how effective is it at predicting whether a criminal will reoffend? Joshua Rozenberg visits the Parole Board for England and Wales to find out.

Also new legal powers to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Joshua speaks to David Lawson, Barrister at Serjeants' Inn Chambers and Catharine Arnold, author of Pandemic 1918.

Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

The secrets of life behind bars, revealed in a new podcast series. Joshua Rozenberg meets the ex-prisoners and others behind the project from The Prison Radio Association and The Prison Reform Trust.

The bedroom tax and why the Court of Appeal got it wrong, plus online courts and the future of justice.

Photo: Joshua Rozenberg with The Secret Life of Prisons presenters and contributors:

Paula Harriott, Head of Prisoner Engagement at Prison Reform Trust. Brenda Birungi, Poet and Founder of Unchained poetry. David Breakspear, Prison Reform Campaigner. Phil Maguire, Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association.

If you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline or you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information 0800 066 066.

Producers: Diane Richardson and Neil Koenig.

Should parents with a history of domestic abuse be allowed to see their children? How can the family courts protect children from further abuse? Joshua Rozenberg asks where the law should draw the line. And he discovers some of the innovative programmes being run in Altcourse Prison near Liverpool - including keeping birds of prey. Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

Joshua Rozenberg visits a busy Crown Court where vulnerable or intimidated witnesses can give pre-recorded evidence and face cross-examination before the defendant stands trial.

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

In holding the government to account over Brexit, our judges have added new pages to the UK's uncodified constitution. Joshua Rozenberg finds the law more active today than at any time since he launched this programme 35 years ago, and in the first episode of the new series he asks what legal lessons we can learn from the tumult caused by Brexit.

Researcher: Diane Richardson Producer: Neil Koenig

Do jurors believe in rape myths? A coalition campaigning to end violence against women said a third of people questioned in an opinion poll thought that sex without consent was not rape if there was no physical violence involved.

Professor Cheryl Thomas at University College London has interviewed more than 50 real juries about their views. Ahead of publication, she outlines her findings to Joshua Rozenberg.

Also this week, the court that can close your business down in a few seconds; and whether contestants on Love Island should have to leave their legal rights at the door of their villa.

Producers: Bob Howard and Neil Koenig

Prosecutors in the United States want Julian Assange extradited to face charges of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified defence documents. What chance does he have of defeating the US extradition request at a hearing planned for next February?

Also on Law in Action: if you’ve been turned down for social security payments, how easy is it to take the government to a tribunal? And the Australian defence lawyer who shopped her gangster clients to the police.

Producers: Bob Howard and Neil Koenig

Should a non-traditional background be a bar to joining the Bar? Barristers want the best recruits. But many law students waste time and money training for a profession they will never succeed in joining. Leading lawyers tell Joshua Rozenberg how they plan to reduce training fees and increase diversity.

Also this week: threats and transparency in the Court of Protection. And the law behind the failed attempt to launch a private prosecution against Boris Johnson.

Producers: Neil Koenig and Nina Robinson

What will happen to the European Union judiciary after Brexit? Eleanor Sharpston QC is a British member of the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg. She argues it’s in the interests of both the UK and the EU for British judges to remain at the EU Court after Brexit - at least during a transitional period - because the UK will still be affected by its rulings.

Also this week: transparency in the courts. When judges make decisions on sensitive personal and family issues, should their courts be open to all? Or does reporting put justice at risk? Joshua Rozenberg shines a light on this darker corner of the law.

Producer: Neil Koenig

Joshua Rozenberg asks whether new laws are needed to protect online and social media users from abuse?

Plus, in our latest look behind the scenes of courts large and small, we visit an immigration tribunal in central London. Joshua Rozenberg meets applicants who want to stay in Britain and judges who need an encyclopaedic knowledge of world affairs to decide whether they can remain.

Joshua Rozenberg reports from a prison where inmates study legal issues alongside law students from Cambridge University. The academics who launched this ground-breaking project have found that both groups of students benefit by learning together.

Plus, why four doctors have launched a Judicial Review of the Royal College of Physician’s assisted dying poll.

Producers: Neil Koenig and Diane Richardson.

We visit a problem-solving court in Coventry. Joshua Rozenberg speaks to judges, social workers and a mother whose drug addiction put her at risk of losing her children. Producer: Neil Koenig

Behind the scenes at the UK's top court: Joshua Rozenberg talks to staff, officials and the court’s most senior justices. Why do they allow some appeals and refuse even to hear others? How activist are they? And what effect did the Brexit challenge of 2016 have on the reputation of the judiciary? Producer: Neil Koenig

Judge Alex Calabrese can wield the big stick if he needs to. But peacemakers at the Red Hook Community Justice Centre in Brooklyn often find it more effective to pass round what they call a talking stick. Joshua Rozenberg finds out whether a Native American form of dispute resolution can be transplanted to a deprived corner of New York.

Also, what the new director of public prosecutions for England and Wales thinks about screening jurors before they try rape cases. And one of the BBC team covering the Grenfell Tower Inquiry brings us up to date with the lines of evidence that have emerged so far.

(Picture: Alex Calabrese, Acting Supreme Court Justice for the State of New York and Presiding Judge at Red Hook Community Justice Centre)

Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

Joshua Rozenberg hears the story of the extraordinary case that rewrote the way America is governed - giving the Supreme Court the power to overrule Congress. He discovers what American prosecutors get up to behind the closed doors of the grand jury room. And he asks whether we should be screening jurors in England and Wales for bias before they are allowed to serve on rape trials. Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

There is a possibility of a new legal challenge to the tech giants. Early last year, an unknown American law student published a scholarly article in a distinguished journal. Lina Khan argued that competition law – known in the United States as anti-trust law – could be used to rein in the activities of huge enterprises like Amazon. Other lawyers disagree with her reasoning - but the Federal Trade Commission is assessing the arguments. Joshua Rozenberg sounds out opinions in the United States. Also this week: should offences committed in childhood mean a criminal record for life? Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

Dennis Hutchings, a former soldier charged with attempted murder in Northern Ireland in 1974, says the UK Supreme Court should let him face trial by jury, rather than a hearing at a special court where a judge sits alone. Joshua Rozenberg speaks to Mr Hutchings and his lawyer. And in the first of a series of reports from the US, we investigate whether female lawyers face prejudice in the courtroom - including allegations of using tears to manipulate jurors.

Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson

Some police forces are using automated facial recognition technology to pick suspects out of a crowd. But is face mapping a valuable tool in the fight against serious crime or a new threat to our civil liberties? And does it work? Joshua Rozenberg investigates.

Also in this week's programme...

Do body-worn video cameras help police to deal more effectively with domestic violence incidents - or do they make matters worse?

And the mysterious case of the "pernicious weed"...who should pay when the wrong kind of vegetation - such as Japanese knotweed - is found on railway lines?

Producer: Neil Koenig Researcher: Diane Richardson.