The Hearing – A Legal Podcast

Host Becky Annison explores the UK's court backlog crisis and its troubling ripple effects throughout the justice system. Her guest, Adrian Usher, the UK’s Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, explains how delayed trials are creating a bottleneck in prisons, with some Crown Court cases now being scheduled as far ahead as 2028, and he outlines the human cost of these systemic failures. Adrian explains why coming into his role as PPO after a long career as a police officer changed how he thinks about prison sentences, and he discusses with Becky the many difficulties inmates face under current prison conditions. This thought-provoking episode challenges legal professionals of all specialties to consider their duty to an increasingly strained justice system.

In a profession that celebrates achievement and relentless work ethic, what happens to the mental and physical wellbeing of those caught in this culture? Following our previous exploration of the mental health crisis in the legal community, this episode delves deeper into practical solutions. Join host Teneé Frazier as she welcomes Kerry Lawlor, psychotherapist, and co-founder of the Workplace Collective (UK), for an illuminating conversation about recognizing the need for self-care and creating psychologically safe workplaces in the legal profession. Together, they delve into practical tools and strategies for individuals and firms to prioritize mental health and well-being. They discuss how implementing reflective practice strategies, and fostering environments where wellbeing is central to organizational culture can benefit the legal community as a whole. This episode offers valuable insights for legal professionals seeking to thrive, not just survive, in high-pressure environments.

Who protects women when the very systems that are supposed to protect them, like the police and the broader legal system, refuse to, or even worse, are causing the harm in the first place? This episode's guest has been fighting against the systemic challenges women face in securing justice for decades. And she has some extraordinary stories to tell. Join The Hearing host Yasmin Sheikh as she sits down with Harriet Wistrich, a human rights lawyer, founder of the Centre for Women's Justice (https://www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk/), and author of "Sister in Law" (https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455720/sister-in-law-by-wistrich-harriet/9781804995990). Dive into Harriet's compelling journey from activism to law, driven by her passion for women's rights and justice. Discover the groundbreaking cases she's championed, including the landmark Sally Challen case that reshaped the understanding of coercive control and the John Warboys case, which highlighted some of the headwinds women face when they do come forward to seek justice for crimes against them. In addition, she discusses astonishing undercover police operations that infiltrated activist groups, often using women as a means to an end. Wistrich weaves personal stories into a discussion about broader societal implications. This episode is a powerful exploration of systemic challenges and the relentless pursuit of justice. Don't miss this inspiring conversation - or Harriet's amazing book!

Most people would agree that lawyers and doctors should have professional licenses and oversight to protect the public from malpractice. But does the licensing system actually serve its intended purpose? In this episode, join host Janelle Wrigley for an insightful conversation with Professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth of Vanderbilt Law School, as she discusses her book, ‘The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work and Why It Goes Wrong’. Professor Allensworth delves into the complicated, and occasionally fraught, world of professional licensing, including in law and medicine, exploring how the licensing system affects workers and consumers alike. They discuss the unintended consequences of self-regulation, impacts on innovation, and ideas for reform. With real-world examples and thought-provoking insights, this episode sheds light on a topic that impacts our daily lives more than most of us might realize.

Those who could benefit most from the legal system are often those least able to access it. As this episode's guest, Stephen Kinsella, notes, "There are only so many cake stalls and jumble sales you can have in a local community, in order to raise funds to pay a lawyer." So that's where his organisation, Law for Change, steps in – as a Community Interest Company that helps provide financial backing and indemnities to cover legal costs for cases with significant societal impact. Join host Becky Annison as she and Stephen discuss the motivations that led him to set up Law for Change and how the organisation selects its cases to carry out its mission. With an eye toward cases that will benefit society, or that could establish or refine important legal principles, the organisation has assisted with cases across a broad spectrum, including on issues such as fracking and police misconduct. More broadly, Stephen talks about current challenges facing the UK legal system, including court backlogs and antiquated systems, and his concerns about a judicial system that relies on philanthropy to fill gaps. You can find out more about Law for Change here: https://www.lawforchange.uk

In this episode, Dan Nardello, the founder of top-tier investigative firm Nardello & Co., speaks with host Teneé Frazier about the evolving role of private investigations within the legal industry. They discuss the increasingly sophisticated nature of investigations, their essential role in complex litigation and dispute resolution, and the need for strict ethical adherence. Their conversation delves into the methodologies used in special investigations, from public records reviews to strategic interviews. It also explores the challenges of navigating different legal systems, particularly concerning privacy regulations in the UK and US. And Dan shares tips on exercising due diligence to mitigate risk when hiring a private investigation firm.

The world can feel hopelessly polarised at times, especially on topics such as racism and criminal justice. If your spirits need lifting, and if you need reassurance that respectful dialogue is possible, even if people disagree with each other, then this episode is for you. Abimbola Johnson, a barrister at London's Doughty Street Chambers, speaks with host Yasmin Sheikh about her work as chair of the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board, which addresses racism in policing. They discuss the importance of having challenging conversations in ways that maintain respect for differing viewpoints and Abimbola's hopes for the legacy of the Board's Police Race Action Plan (https://www.npcc.police.uk/our-work/police-race-action-plan/) as it enters its final year.

In a recent survey, 79% of legal professionals said they felt the profession had negatively affected their mental health. And over 15% had even considered suicide. These are two of the worrying statistics we learned from this episode's guest, Kent Halkett. Kent is an attorney with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services who has written articles about mental health in the legal community for a host of publications. Kent chats with host Teneé Frazier about his journey to becoming an advocate for improving mental health within the legal profession. Kent shares the story of his own mental health challenges, which culminated with him attempting suicide. He explains how publishing his story catapulted him, and this often-taboo subject, into the spotlight. During their conversation, Kent describes some of the warning signs of mental health issues, stresses the importance of a work-life balance, and outlines the support available for those in need. Kent also shares insights on how the problem could be addressed, such as by increasing awareness through better education – both in law schools and as part of continuous professional development. You can find out more about the ALM and Law.com Compass mental health survey of the legal profession here: https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2024/05/17/mental-health-by-the-numbers-the-2024-survey-infographic/?slreturn=20250123165408 You can read one of Kent's articles, Mental Health in the Legal Profession: A Crisis, a Case Study and a Call to Action, here: https://www.tba.org/?pg=Articles&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=59057

We are leaving future generations to face more challenges than ever. Yet it can be incredibly difficult for governments to act for the long term when so many of their incentives encourage short-term thinking. In this episode, host Becky Annison chats with Derek Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, about how Wales is attempting to solve this problem. Derek explains why Wales passed the Well-being of Future Generations Act, how this pioneering legislation obliges the Welsh government to act for the long term, and whether other nations can follow this example.

Native Americans are fighting for their legal rights across many important fronts in the US. In this episode, Janelle Wrigley speaks with Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director of the Native American Rights Fund, about NARF's legal and advocacy work. Matthew and Janelle's wide-ranging discussion covers issues such as voting rights, the protection of places that are sacred to tribal nations, and access to natural resources. They also discuss the sovereignty of tribal nations, their relationship with the US government, and the challenges of ensuring access to voting.