Northpod Law & UKCLB Podcasts

This week's show (listen here) is brought to you courtesy of predatory comments made at Snaresbrook Crown Court and via Blackstones Criminal Law July Updater. Ben talks to Kate Hammond, former CPS Crown Advocate and to Keith Jones, both Barristers in Private Practice at Central Chambers in Manchester. They discuss the recent and much publicised use of the term "sexual predator" by Prosecuting Counsel, in relation to a 13-year-old victim. Kirstin joins Ben then to go through some interesting cases with differing bizarreness rating.  We answer the questions: 1. Whether it matters if you thought you were indulging in sex with a girl or a boy- R v McNally 2. Whether you can do an act which intimidates without intimidating - R v ZN 3. What is the exact time the Defence are aware of a witness for the purpose of witness notification?                                                                                                                             - Re Joseph Hill and Co 4. Whether the Jury need to know for what a SOPO was imposed. - Sheikh [2013] EWCA Crim 907 and 5. When is the prosecution allowed to rely on their witness being a good egg? - R v Lodge If you'd like to view the vulnerable witness handling video please click here. And if you're following the 13-year-old case controversy and have run out of reading matter you might find some new stuff in this lot: News articles: http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/crime-court/schoolgirl_13_branded_sexual_predator_by_judge_who_spared_romford_paedophile_jail_1_2321573http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/judge-calls-victim-13-a-sexual-predator-outcry-as-41yearold-man-walks-free-after-admitting-sex-with-girl-8748494.htmlhttp://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/aug/07/barrister-victim-predatory-criticised-dpp CPS guidance:https://www.cps.gov.uk/consultations/csa_consultation_summary.htmlhttp://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/derogatory_or_defamatory_mitigation/#a06 Pressure Group against “ostensible consent” as a concept: http://yhndm.co.uk/Main/why-children-can-t-consent.html

You can listen to the episode here.  Note there is some swearing in this episode. This week we let Jonathan Holt out of the dungeon and we discuss a host of case law. First up is the current news favourite AG v Davey and AG v Beard 2 jurors found guilty of contempt of court via Facebook and internet research. Then we look at who can and cannot bring committal proceedings against those in breach of Forced Marriage Prevention Orders with a recent High Court Case. Ben runs us through some confiscation cases R v Sale and R v Morgan at whirlwind speed. And finally Kirstin tells us about the recent Supreme Court Case R v Hughes. If you want to look at the new practice guidence in regard to in private committals for contempt of court you can find them here and the supplement here.

Welcome back!  You can listen here. Last series it was Jonathan Holt in a cell in Thailand.  This series it's Ben Knight involved in diamond smuggling - honestly is there only me left as a law abiding legal type? We kick the series off with the topic of gait identification - if it walks like a duck is apparently enough now.  We talk about why a podiatrist is likely to qualify as an expert and give practical tips on how you challenge the evidence if you have to We also have a bit of a row about children and pornography and what can and ought to be done to prevent them viewing it.  This is in light of government proposals leaked to the BBC to have the parental controls "default on." In other news: the effects of cuts on the listing system and a big, "well done to Serco and G4S" for allegedly providing Chris Grayling with a real cost saving scheme.  They can just stop over-charging him according to the Lord Chancellor. Congratulations to Tony Cross QC who will be the 1st Chair of the Criminal Bar Association to not come from a London Set and to Alison Saunders who will be the 1st DPP to be selected from the CPS's own ranks. NorthPod Law.  It's all about firsts.

Listen Here As promised, here is the 2nd part of our coverage from the Justice for Sale meeting in Westminster last week.  We hope it inspires you to put pen to paper and to respond to the consultation paper.  It doesn't matter whether or not you are a lawyer - this effects everyone. If you want to listen to the edited speeches in full or to hear the wonderful questions and answers session, including an especial emphasis on Wales then you can do so at the CLSA website.  Many thanks again to them for providing us with the raw audio. See you in 6 weeks! p.s. - sorry about the slightly odd ending and the reference to Jo Sidhu as John Sidhu.  It was a late night.

Click here to listen to the show. The usual up-beat mood of the end of term episode is somewhat lost this series as the MoJ proposals hang over the immediate future of the Criminal Law Professions and over the medium term future of the rest of the Legal System. This week the team go a-roving as 400 Lawyers take to the streets of Manchester to protest over the cuts to Legal Aid.  The March was organised by Parents for Real Justice in response to Chris Grayling's proposals. On the same day, in Manchester and Liverpool, the MoJ held roadshows to put the Government's point of view to the professions and members of the general public. Jonathan Holt was dispatched to cover the Manchester version.  Speakers making points against included solicitor Robert Lizar and Pete Weatherby QC. And finally we travelled South into the Big Smoke to witness the funeral of Lady Justice and to attend her wake at the Justice for Sale meeting in Westminster.  Thanks to the CLSA for providing us with part one of the soundtrack to the meeting - hoping part 2 is in the post as promised. There should be a further show just to complete the highlights but in case part 2 is lost in the post you can find the unedited recording of the meeting on the CLSA website (as soon as they post it). See you in 6 weeks, but keep an eye out on this site or on (the) twitter in case of specials.

Click here to listen to the show.On this week's show, we look into the use of interpreters in courts and police stations and find out why a Ministry of Justice contract with Applied Language Solutions Ltd (now known as Capita Translation and Interpreting Ltd) is causing concern for interpreters, courts and parties to proceedings.We speak with Mirela Watson, a Romanian interpreter with over a decade of experience and qualifications, about what is wrong with the present system and where the dangers lie.If you want to read the BBC article about the Snaresbrook case, it is here. The Court of Appeal decision referred to is here. The place to register your concerns about cases such as those discussed is here. We will bring you Capita's response in next week's show, if we receive comment.The "Justice for Sale" meeting in London on 22nd May 2013 is now sold out.  That's more than 1,100 people and a significant press following.  We will be covering the event (all things being equal!).  The press release from the CLSA, confirming the sell-out, is here.There are some clues as to the details of some of the Home Secretary's plans for criminal justice, following her address at the Police Federation conference in Bournemouth.  The M.E.N. also had this to say.We have what might be the last Abu Qatada update from Jonathan Holt.We all do some agreeing with the Home Secretary about a couple of things.  Don't worry; normal service will be resumed by next week.In next week's show, coverage of the London "Justice For Sale" event and the protest demo in Manchester. And maybe some cake and bourbon.

Here's the show It's all a bit political this week as Ben and Kirstin and regular contributor Jonathan Holt discuss what the Queen's Speech contained for Lawyers. Jonathan worries about the implications of the proposed immigration bill.  Ben worries about the implications of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill and Kirstin just worries... Thanks to the BBC for the easy-reading summary, saving us from producing one - our listeners can find it with it's helpful extra links... here.

In a very busy week for Criminal Lawyers, Kirstin talks to Maura McGowan QC, Chairman of the Bar Council about her role, Christopher Grayling's proposals and her view on direct action.   Ben tells us about the Meeting of the Northern Circuit and roving reporter Jonathan Holt roves once more to talk to Michael Turner QC, Chairman of the CBA . Listen by clicking here.

Our panel of experts discussed whether the Criminal Bar and solicitors' firms as we know them have any place in the aftermath of the sweeping reforms and cost-cutting measures deployed by successive governments of England & Wales. Students and current practitioners attended and listened live online with Twitter being the platform for discussion. The Panel was: Ian West (anti-QASA campaigner and barrister on the North-East Circuit) Simon Csoka QC (Criminal Bar Association - Northern Circuit) Franklin Sinclair (Solicitor and senior partner of Tuckers Solicitors) Margaret MacDonald (Head of advocacy at MMU and civil counsel) Many thanks go to those in attendance and to MMU for kindly hosting this event free of charge. Thanks also go to Central Chambers, Manchester for assisting in this event and for assisting with CPD accreditation for those in attendance. NB: - CPD is pending as at 18th April but those who would qualify for the hours will be notified by email. Chaired by Kirstin Beswick Produced by Ben Knight (who also did a bit of speaking!) The show is found here.

It’s the cake and er... sex apparently...show as the series ends with a fabulous interview with Felicity Gerry.  She talks to Ben about sex trials, anonymity of defendants accused of rape, cross-examination of witnesses in sex trials and other related issues. This week also saw a meeting on the Northern Circuit about the future of the Bar - and the threats to it.  As a result, all members of Circuit will be balloted over QASA.  Kirstin tells us what the questions will be and we discuss the apparent feeling on other circuits. Then we have our second review of Blackstone’s Criminal Practice 2013 in electronic format.  Is it still very nearly the Bee’s knees?  Have any or all of the niggles we had last time been resolved? Keep us up to date with your views during the break via Twitter (@northpodlaw), e-mail (mail@northpod.co.uk) or leave us a voice message (0161 408 5037).  Find the show right here. Felicity Gerry Blackstone’s Criminal Practice