Law and Disorder

On New Year's Day 2026, Sir James Munby, former President of the Family Division, died at the age of 77. Here, the Law & Disorder trio pay tribute to James and reflect on his long and storied career.Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're returning to the ongoing crisis in Iran with Nicholas and Helena joined by Ken Roth, formerly the executive director of Human Rights Watch. Are the United States violating international law with their reprisals against Iran's nascent nuclear programme? Does Israel have a valid case for taking pre-emptive action against Tehran? And do the international courts have the legal teeth to ever take men like Trump, Netanyahu and Putin to task for their flagrant disregard for geopolitical norms?If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The crisis unfolding across Iran and the Gulf nations poses many questions. First amongst those is whether the United States and Israel were in breach of international law for their pre-emptive strikes on Tehran. To consider this – and place it in a historical context alongside the Caroline affair, the Suez Crisis and the Iraq War – the Law & Disorder assemble from around the globe.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're looking at the decision of the United States Supreme Court to go against President Trump in a ruling which contests his power to unilaterally set tariffs. The case could have significant financial consequences and is being heralded as a possible turning point for a court that's often seen as excessively political. But what was in the nitty-gritty of the judgment? And does it really suggest a change of approach from the conservative majority court? The Law & Disorder triplets are joined, this week, by David D. Cole, one of America's leading constitutional law scholars (and friend of the show) and Lord Robert Carnwath, who sat on the UK Supreme Court from 2012 to 2020.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In light of Hong Kong businessman and media tycoon Jimmy Lai being sentenced to 20 years in prison under China's National Security Law (a conviction for fraud was overturned after the recording of this episode), we wanted to return to the story of one of the great modern human rights injustices. Helena, Charlie and Nicholas discuss the plight of Jimmy Lai and his family, and whether British judges who continue to serve in Hong Kong are safeguarding other political prisoners or offering validity to a corrupt regime.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.Editor: Lulu GoadAssociate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're talking about another subject that's been dominating headlines: the release of the Epstein files and the implication of Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in potential abuses of public office. The Law & Disorder trio gather to try and unpick the potential charges the two could face (the episode was recorded prior to Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on February 19th) and what defence they might mount.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.Editor: Lulu GoadAssociate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most controversial legal stories of the last few months has been the arrest and charging of a number of demonstrators linked to the pro-Palestine group, Palestine Action. To some, their strategies have strayed beyond protest and civil disobedience and into more dangerous territory, but, to others, they are the victims of an over zealous suppression enforced by a society reluctant to look squarely at human rights violations in Gaza. As ever, the Law & Disorder team are on hand to try to unravel some of the thorny legal aspects of this case, and consider what the future holds for protest in Britain.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer: Nick Hilton.Editor: Lulu GoadAssociate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It might lack the dark glamour of criminal law or the ideological appeal of human rights law, but competition law is an important part of the systems that underpin our society. But in the modern age – with tech oligarchs becoming ever more influential – does it have the teeth to prevent monopolies forming? To discuss this, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn are joined by another esteemed member of the Mostyn clan: Henry Mostyn, a partner at Cleary Gottlieb, and a specialist in this corner of the legal maze.This episode was generously sponsored by Cleary Gottlieb.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British politics seems increasingly dominated by issues surrounding immigration. With Reform surging in the polls and the 'small boats crisis' never far from the headlines, it's more important than ever to give a fair hearing to the legal and moral framework behind immigration. To do so, Helena, Charlie and Nicholas are joined by Enver Solomon, outgoing CEO of the Refugee Council and an expert in Britain's contentious immigration debate. If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia has recently introduced a ban on under-16s using social media, a measure that has considerable support here in the UK. But does it really tackle the core issue of Big Tech companies exposing children to addictive algorithms and dangerous content? Has the government been captured by shiny technology companies and the promise of jobs and investment? Or is there something that could be done to protect people from digital abuse? Beeban Kidron – Baroness Kidron of Angel, to her peers in the upper chamber – is a film director who has become a campaigner for digital safety. She joins the podcast for a conversation, and debate, about how best to tackle this issue.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On January 3rd 2026, the United States launched an audacious mission to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and bring him back to the US to stand trial on charges related to "narcoterrorism". The operation has shocked the world, with some quarters celebrating the toppling of an illegitimate, authoritarian regime, and others decrying the flagrant abuse of international law. Has President Trump put the final nail in the coffin of the concept of international law? Or is there a defence for the operation via precedent or domestic law? The Law and Disorder trio – Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn – assemble to discuss.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 has been a hugely consequential year, with troubling assaults on the Rule of Law in the US as well as challenges to international law in the Middle East and Ukraine. Closer to home, the UK justice system continues to creak under the weight of the backlog. With so much happening, the Law & Disorder team gather (remotely) one last time for 2025, to look back over the past 12 months and ahead to the start of a new year. Are our legal norms being irreparably eroded? Or can the rules-based order reassert itself?If you want to enter the competition to win a signed copy of Edward Stourton's new book, please send your entries to [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should misconduct be taken into account when an equitable division of assets is being attempted following a divorce? That's the question we're dealing with today, as Nicholas Mostyn – and old hand in these affairs – and Helena Kennedy are joined by Anita Mehta, a barrister and co-host of Talking Family Law. Together they talk about the law as it was, is and could possibly be, as our understanding of complex issues like domestic abuse and coercive control evolve.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baroness Brenda Hale is one of the most experienced legal minds in the country. Having served on the Supreme Court (including a stint as the first female President) she joins this week's podcast to reflect on her storied career, the times when she came up against certain podcast hosts in court, and some of the pressing issues facing the justice system, from the future of jury trials to the alleviation of the backlog. Witty, insightful and wise, Baroness Hale's life will prove an inspiration to many.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There has been much in the news in recent years about undercover police work, with the public shocked by the level of intrusion permitted. Charlotte Kilroy KC, our guest today, is an expert on this subject, and has recently represented a woman, Beth, whose partner allegedly used his status as an informant for MI5 in order to inflict domestic abuse. In this wide-ranging discussion, the team look at the role of undercover personnel, the work of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, and what balance must be struck between the question of national security and the safety and privacy of those coming into contact with subterfuge. If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the Law & Disorder trio had the privilege of broadcasting live from Ripon Cathedral, where they debated a key question at the heart of proposals to revamp Britain's justice system: should jury trials be consigned to history? Or is there space for a hybrid system? Tied to suggestions made by Sir Brian Leveson, the team make their arguments for and against preserving a key part of Britain's common law system.This event was kindly sponsored by Irwin Mitchell solicitors.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via [email protected]!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.