LawPod

This podcast is the first in a series of episode on Civilian Harm in Conflict - hosted by Mae Thompson, advocacy officer at Ceasefire. The podcast is an output of the AHRC funded 'Reparations during Armed Conflict' project with Queen's University Belfast, University College London and Ceasefire, led by Professor Luke Moffett.Mark Lattimer, Executive Director of Ceasefire joins the podcast. Ceasefire have written a number of reports on civilian harm, in particular on the case for the UK to adopt a reparation scheme for overseas military operations and more recently on arbitrary detention in Ukraine.  Professor Fionnuala ní Aólain has written extensively on the issue of counter-terrorism and in one of her final reports as UN Special Rapporteur highlighted the impact of new technologies on civilians.Professor Luke Moffett has called for a harm based approach to reparations in the midst of ongoing hostilities, such as in Ukraine.Our colleagues on the CIVCOM project have written this blog on EJILtalk on reparations for civilian harm.

In this episode of LawPod, your host Kenneth Elo sits down with three dynamic second-year law students at Queen’s University Belfast to explore the world of student ambassador programs—what they are, how to land one, and why they’re such a powerful addition to any law student’s journey.Anjana Chengun, Usman Aslam, and Eva Livadaris share their experiences representing organizations like A&O Shearman, Legal Cheek, Legal Business Minds, and Barbri. From promoting legal opportunities on campus to building professional networks on LinkedIn, these ambassadors reveal what it takes to thrive in the role—and how it's shaped their confidence, skills, and future legal careers.Whether you’re a student considering applying, or an employer thinking of launching or improving your own campus program, this episode is full of actionable advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and tips for success.For access to student ambassador opportunities;https://www.oncampuspromotions.co.uk/Check out Kenneth Elo's supporting blog post - Representing More Than a Brand: The Real Impact of Student Ambassador Programs

This episode of LawPod, hosted by law student Alexandra Morar, marks the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Alexandra speaks with Brian Dooley, Senior Advisor at Human Rights First and Honorary Professor at Queen’s, who recently returned from Ukraine. Brian shares his experiences investigating the killing of human rights defender Tigran Galustyan and providing first-hand accounts of the daily realities and human rights work in conflict zones like Kharkiv. He discusses the dangers and challenges faced by local volunteers rescuing civilians from the front lines, the impact of Russian attacks, and the ongoing efforts to document and promote the critical human rights work happening amid the conflict.

In this special International Women's Day episode of LawPod, host Ellie Blair sits down with Aisling Cannon and Shauna McKey, members of the Walkie Talkie Girlies society. Founded in November 2023 at Queen's University, the society aims to improve women's safety by organising group walks, particularly in response to unsettling experiences both women have had. The discussion touches on the origins and inspiring growth of the society to over 500 members, its significant projects like Project Pink, and its collaborative work with government, local businesses and tech companies to ensure member safety. Aisling and Shauna also talk about their future aspirations for the society, potential expansions, and how involvement in this initiative shapes their career goals. They emphasise the need for legislative reform and early education about healthy relationships as fundamental ways to protect women, both on the streets and in their homes.

In this special International Women's Day episode of LawPod, host Katie O'Doherty interviews Olivia Ferran and Jenna Mullan, co-chairs of Queen's University's Women in Law Society. They discuss their society's mission to support female law students through informative events, mentoring programs, and promoting a positive well-being environment. The episode explores the importance of female-based societies, personal motivations for joining, challenges women face in the legal profession, combating imposter syndrome, and the critical role of women in legislating. They also talk about upcoming International Women's Day plans, including a panel discussion and their annual networking event.

In this episode, Dr. Yassin Brunger converses with Dr. Astrid Reisinger-Coracini (University of Vienna) about the challenges and implications surrounding the crime of aggression in international law.Dr. Coracini, a member of the Austrian delegation at the International Criminal Court Assembly of State Parties in 2023, discusses the significant gaps and potential reforms in the legal frameworks governing the crime of aggression, drawing insights from historical contexts and current geopolitical conflicts, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They explore how the international community addresses such crimes and the essential pathways for justice and accountability.

In this special episode of LawPod, Dr. Yassin Brunger (Queen’s University Belfast) interviews Dr. Priya Pillai, Executive Director of the Asia Justice Coalition, on the challenges and prospects of international criminal justice in Asia. They discuss the anniversary of Myanmar's military offensive against the Rohingya, the role of civil society in seeking justice, and the importance of regional collaboration in addressing mass atrocities. Dr. Pillai emphasizes the need for international treaties on crimes against humanity and the significance of states’ commitment to prevent such crimes. They explore the complexities of achieving justice for survivors and the potential for international institutions to learn from grassroots and regional efforts.

In this episode of LawPod, hosts Kane Miller and Ella Murphy, both law students, interview Northern Ireland Commissioner Johanna Higgins and John Curtis, in-house counsel at the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). They discuss their backgrounds and roles at the CCRC, explaining how the Commission investigates potential miscarriages of justice. Johanna and John elaborate on the CCRC's powers under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995, including obtaining information from public and private entities, and their ability to have cases re-examined by the courts. They highlight specific cases, the application process, challenges faced, and the importance of raising awareness about the CCRC's work, especially among legal professionals, students, and the general public.

In this episode of LawPod, Dr Alice Diver from the School of Law converses with Kyung-eun Lee, director of Human Rights Beyond Borders, about the multifaceted issues surrounding intercountry adoption. They discuss the truth recovery process in Northern Ireland, the historical and ongoing human rights violations associated with adoption practices worldwide, and the evolving landscape of adoptee activism. The conversation underscores the importance of rectifying past injustices, understanding the systemic nature of these abuses, and ensuring that the right to know one's origin is universally recognized. The discussion also touches upon the roles of governments, private agencies, and the broader international community in addressing these deep-rooted issues. Further Reading https://www.amazon.com/Global-Orphan-Adoption-System-Development/dp/8996879878 https://www.theuniversalasian.com/post/books-the-global-orphan-adoption-system-by-dr-kyung-eun-lee https://www.hrbb.org/ https://www.hrbb.org/post/recent-adoption-related-lawsuits-in-korea

In this episode, Dr. Alessandro Corda and Dr. Elizabeth Agnew sit down with Dr. Clara Rigoni, Maître Assistante at the Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration of the University of Lausanne (Switzerland), to discuss her book Honour-Based Violence and Forced Marriages: Community and Restorative Practices in Europe (Routledge). The book explores innovative approaches to addressing honour-based violence and forced marriages through alternative programs, presenting new empirical from case studies from the UK and Norway. Highlighting secular, community-based initiatives and multi-agency models, the conversation delves into how pluralism and the rule of law can be reconciled to improve women's access to justice, reduce secondary victimisation, and ensure more effective responses to these complex issues.