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Podcasts in the legal space are becoming increasingly immersive, dynamic and pragmatic as well as being a highly useful tool for budding lawyers. They are an excellent resource and cover a range of topics which may be helpful for legal studies. Where they are particularly useful for aspiring barristers is in demonstrating to chambers that you have specialist knowledge in their area of law.
Well-known legal commentator Joshua Rozenburg KC (hon) first broadcast Law in Action on BBC Radio 4 in 1984. In more recent times it moved into podcast format but, disappointingly, was decommissioned earlier this year. Thankfully, you can still access its treasure trove of back catalogue which covers a huge variety of legal topics – from environmental prosecutions to supporting witnesses who are neurodivergent.
Law in Action has, perhaps not so seamlessly, transformed into The Law Show hosted by legal academic Dr Joelle Grogan. This show explores the current issues of the day and their legal implications along with interviews of experts. Listeners can write in with their legal issues.
Both shows are perfect for law students – in terms of helping them in considering legal problems and keeping up to date with legal issues for pupillage interviews. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tgy1/episodes/player
1 Crown Office Row chambers has been running its own podcast for many years and has amassed over 200 episodes. The presenters are Rosalind English, Emma-Louise Fenelon, Jim Duffy and Lucy McCann. The focus tends to be on civil and public law and recent topics include negligence in football, human rights and climate change, and a three-part series exploring gender at the Bar. www.1cor.com/london/category/podcast/
This career-development podcast is hosted by Dr Sally Penni MBE who is a barrister, diversity champion and founder of Women in Law UK. Of interest to students and experienced lawyers alike, each episode features an interview with a legal figure who shares advice on entering, progressing in, and staying in the law. An impressive range of guests includes Courtenay Griffiths KC, Lady Hale, former Attorney General Victoria Prentis, Lord Pannick KC and The Secret Barrister. www.womeninthelawuk.com/podcasts-women-in-the-law-uk/
If you are interested in inquiry or inquest work, this podcast is an ongoing in-depth look at the Grenfell Inquiry including audio from the inquiry itself as well as analysis and interviews. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p066rd9t/episodes/downloads
You can listen to public lectures hosted by Cambridge University. Recent topics include The European Court of Human Rights and climate policy and medicine and the rule of law. Great for keeping up to date with international law. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cambridge-law-public-lectures-from-the-faculty-of-law/id469010611
If you are interested in applying to a family law set, Unit Chambers has you covered with their podcast series. It is hosted by Lisa Edmunds who is the CEO of Unit Chambers and a barrister and includes a number of special guests. It includes legal topics such as the role of digital forensics and cell site analysis in family law. It also includes a range of Pupillage Prep topics including resilience, wellbeing, mastering the gateway and dealing with rejection. unit.law/family-law-and-more-podcast/
39 Essex Chambers gives listeners the lowdown on everything pupillage. Topics include a day in the life of a pupil and top tips for your applications. This is a must listen for all pupillage seekers. www.39essex.com/information-hub/podcasts/pupillage-podcast
Legal podcasts continue to be launched all the time so keep an eye out for new ventures such as Rozenburg’s independent podcast A Lawyer Talks and the Law and Disorder podcast hosted by Sir Nicholas Mostyn, Baroness Helena Kennedy KC and Lord Falconer – definitely worth a listen with that pedigree!
Emma Fielding was called to the Bar in July 2021 and is currently a probationary tenant specialising in criminal law with 36 Crime.
Podcasts in the legal space are becoming increasingly immersive, dynamic and pragmatic as well as being a highly useful tool for budding lawyers. They are an excellent resource and cover a range of topics which may be helpful for legal studies. Where they are particularly useful for aspiring barristers is in demonstrating to chambers that you have specialist knowledge in their area of law.
Well-known legal commentator Joshua Rozenburg KC (hon) first broadcast Law in Action on BBC Radio 4 in 1984. In more recent times it moved into podcast format but, disappointingly, was decommissioned earlier this year. Thankfully, you can still access its treasure trove of back catalogue which covers a huge variety of legal topics – from environmental prosecutions to supporting witnesses who are neurodivergent.
Law in Action has, perhaps not so seamlessly, transformed into The Law Show hosted by legal academic Dr Joelle Grogan. This show explores the current issues of the day and their legal implications along with interviews of experts. Listeners can write in with their legal issues.
Both shows are perfect for law students – in terms of helping them in considering legal problems and keeping up to date with legal issues for pupillage interviews. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tgy1/episodes/player
1 Crown Office Row chambers has been running its own podcast for many years and has amassed over 200 episodes. The presenters are Rosalind English, Emma-Louise Fenelon, Jim Duffy and Lucy McCann. The focus tends to be on civil and public law and recent topics include negligence in football, human rights and climate change, and a three-part series exploring gender at the Bar. www.1cor.com/london/category/podcast/
This career-development podcast is hosted by Dr Sally Penni MBE who is a barrister, diversity champion and founder of Women in Law UK. Of interest to students and experienced lawyers alike, each episode features an interview with a legal figure who shares advice on entering, progressing in, and staying in the law. An impressive range of guests includes Courtenay Griffiths KC, Lady Hale, former Attorney General Victoria Prentis, Lord Pannick KC and The Secret Barrister. www.womeninthelawuk.com/podcasts-women-in-the-law-uk/
If you are interested in inquiry or inquest work, this podcast is an ongoing in-depth look at the Grenfell Inquiry including audio from the inquiry itself as well as analysis and interviews. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p066rd9t/episodes/downloads
You can listen to public lectures hosted by Cambridge University. Recent topics include The European Court of Human Rights and climate policy and medicine and the rule of law. Great for keeping up to date with international law. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/cambridge-law-public-lectures-from-the-faculty-of-law/id469010611
If you are interested in applying to a family law set, Unit Chambers has you covered with their podcast series. It is hosted by Lisa Edmunds who is the CEO of Unit Chambers and a barrister and includes a number of special guests. It includes legal topics such as the role of digital forensics and cell site analysis in family law. It also includes a range of Pupillage Prep topics including resilience, wellbeing, mastering the gateway and dealing with rejection. unit.law/family-law-and-more-podcast/
39 Essex Chambers gives listeners the lowdown on everything pupillage. Topics include a day in the life of a pupil and top tips for your applications. This is a must listen for all pupillage seekers. www.39essex.com/information-hub/podcasts/pupillage-podcast
Legal podcasts continue to be launched all the time so keep an eye out for new ventures such as Rozenburg’s independent podcast A Lawyer Talks and the Law and Disorder podcast hosted by Sir Nicholas Mostyn, Baroness Helena Kennedy KC and Lord Falconer – definitely worth a listen with that pedigree!
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
