LawPod

In April of this year, the report, Bitter Legacy: State Impunity in the Northern Ireland Conflict, was published. Written by a panel of international human rights experts (The International Expert Panel on Impunity) convened by the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the request of the Committee on the Administration of Justice and the Pat Finucane Centre, the report documents “widespread, systematic and systemic” impunity for British state involvement in killings, torture and ill-treatment, and collusion. In this episode, Brian Dooley, Senior Advisor at Human Rights First and member of The International Expert Panel, joins Lauren Dempster and Kevin Hearty to discuss state violence in Northern Ireland, the report’s development and findings, and the impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on efforts to address the legacy of the past. You can access the report here: https://www.jus.uio.no/smr/english/about/id/docs/bitter-legacy-29-april-24.pdf Please note that this episode was recorded on 3rd July 2024, one day before the UK General Election in which the Government that introduced the ‘Legacy and Reconciliation’ Act discussed in this episode lost power. The new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has since provided an update to parliament on the new Government’s approach to the Act: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/northern-ireland-troubles-legacy-reconciliation-act-2023#:~:text=It%20underlines%20the%20Government's%20absolute,and%20of%20victims%20and%20survivors

In this episode, we welcome Dr Fiona McGaughey from the University of Western Australia to discuss business and human rights and the 2018 Modern Slavery Act in Australia. Joined by Dr. Ciarán O'Kelly and Dr. Ciara Hackett, Dr McGaughey shares her journey into business and human rights research. The conversation delves into the evolution of business responsibilities toward human rights, the role of modern slavery legislation, and the importance of integrating human rights due diligence in business practices. They also explore the effectiveness of reporting laws, the role of SMEs, and the emerging significance of environmental considerations. Additionally, the discussion touches on the complexities of remedy for victims of corporate human rights abuses and the broader implications for climate change and community engagement.

Dr. Cheryl Lawther welcomes Dr. Brianne Mc Gonigle Leyh from Utrecht University to discuss her research on transitional justice in the United States. The conversation explores how transitional justice, typically associated with countries emerging from conflict or authoritarian regimes, applies to the US. Leyh's work highlights historical and contemporary examples of transitional justice measures at federal, state, and local levels. Key topics include the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, local truth commissions, reparations, the role of social movements, and the potential for a national approach to address historical injustices and promote social justice.

Join Dr Norah Burns as she speaks with Member of the European Parliament Frances Fitzgerald. MEP Fitzgerald is an Irish politician, she is a former Tánaiste, Minister for Justice and Equality and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. In March 2024 she was the joint winner of the "European Values Champion of the Mandate" award at The Parliament Magazine's annual MEP Awards. In the EU Matrix ranking of the 100 most influential MEPs in the European Parliament for 2024, MEP Fitzgerald was named as the 8th most influential MEP in the Parliament. She has also been appointed to the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC) on behalf of the European Union.

In this episode, Niamh and Tolu from Rainbow Refugees NI speak to Lauren Dempster about issues affecting LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers in Northern Ireland. Rainbow Refugees NI is a grassroots, volunteer-led organisation supporting LGBTQIA+ refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Niamh and Tolu tell us about the work of Rainbow Refugees NI, the challenges that LGBTQIA+ refugees can face, and they share the findings of their recent report on homophobia in asylum accommodation in Northern Ireland. To learn more about the work of Rainbow Refugees NI please visit their website https://www.rainbowrefugeesni.com/ and follow them on social media @rainbowrefugeesni on Instagram and @RainbowRefugeNI on X. "We are getting hurt" Safe Accommodation for LGBTQIA+ People Seeking Sanctuary in Northern Ireland, is now available here https://www.rainbowrefugeesni.com/safe-accommodation-report/

Join Dr Rosie Cowan as she talks to Professor Heather Conway and Barrister Sheena Grattan about how to die tidily with your affairs in order. Explore the pitfalls of dying without clear instructions left behind.Do you have a will? If not, do you know who gets your property when you die? If you have a will, is it up-to-date? Are your personal documents in a mess, such that only you know where everything is? Do you have an enduring power of attorney (something that’s almost as important as a will)? In your household, is there one person who ‘wears the financial trousers’ (and no-one else knows anything about it)? Have you thought about your funeral choices? Have you discussed your funeral choices with your nearest and dearest; do they know what your wishes are?This podcast probes these questions, and other legal issues connected to death. Released to coincide with Dying Matters Week, it encourages people to have difficult conversations and promotes the idea of ‘dying tidily’ with everything in order.

Join us for a riveting episode of LawPod, where we delve deep into the evolving field of criminology with distinguished guest Professor Katja Franko. Hosted by Dr. Alessandro Corda and Dr. Theresa Degenhardt, this special edition not only celebrates the ICCJ Annual Lecture 2024 but also offers a profound exploration of the global implications of criminological practices. The discussion traverses the impact of globalisation on criminal justice systems, the characteristics of the Scandinavian penal model, and the pressing issues surrounding migration and citizenship. This episode also explores Professor Franko and David R Goyes' insightful book on the legacy of Pablo Escobar, "Victimhood, Memory, and Consumerism: Profiting from Pablo" which critically examined the commercial exploitation of Medellín's violent past, tracing how global media, notably Netflix, have transformed the city’s trauma into entertainment, elevating Pablo Escobar to a global brand while overshadowing the victims' narratives. The conversation offers a profound look at the intersections of law, society, and transnational influences, making it a must-listen for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the dynamics of law and criminology in a globalised world.

In this episode of LawPod, Lawpodders Victoria and Nick interview QUB School of Law's Dr Conall Mallory. They explore the effectiveness and challenges of international law, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The discussion, which took place at the end of January, centres around the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which mandates Israel to take specific actions to prevent genocide, emphasising the limited enforcement capabilities of international law without a global policing entity. The conversation critically examines the role of international bodies like the UN in enforcing such rulings and the inherent political challenges. This case illustrates the broader limitations and potential of international legal mechanisms in real-world geopolitical conflicts, highlighting the need for both realistic expectations and innovative diplomatic efforts to achieve tangible outcomes.

In this episode, ESRC-NINE Post-doctoral Research Fellow Dr Nisan Alici speaks to Dr Lauren Dempster about her PhD research on victim mobilisation and transitional justice in Turkey's Kurdish conflict, focusing on the Saturday Mothers movement. Nisan also discusses her Post-Doctoral research, which compares the work of civil society in Turkey and Northern Ireland, and reflects on her experience applying for Post-Doctoral funding.  Alici, N. (2023) ‘Imagining Transitional Justice in Turkey’s Ongoing Kurdish Conflict’ In Destrooper, T., Gissel, LE., and Carlson, KB. (eds.) Innovation and Consolidation in Transitional Justice. Learning from Aparadigmatic Contexts. Routledge Alici, N. ‘Complexities and Construction of Victimhood in the Kurdish Conflict’ In Sandal EÖ., Acar, YG., Uysal, MS, and Şen E. (2023) The Political Psychology of Kurds in Turkey: Critical Perspectives on Identity, Narratives, and Resistance. Palgrave Studies in Political Psychology series Alıcı, N. (2023) Linking Turkey's Kurdish Conflict to Transitional Justice: Grassroots Pursuit of Truth and Justice. Nottingham Law School Blog. Alıcı, N. (2021) The Saturday Mothers movement in Turkey: 26-year quest for justice and truth. LSE Women, Peace and Security Blog.

What is the reality of working as a solicitor within Private Practice in Northern Ireland? Lawpodder Karen Wray, alongside Deirdre Timoney talks to two local solicitor's - Katherine McAuley (Joseph Magee & Co. Solicitors) who is in the early years of her career, and Simon Murray (MKM Solicitors) who is a long-serving practitioner. They reflect on what inspired them to pursue law, outline qualification pathways, and share what it’s like to work in private practice and the job satisfaction this provides. Thoughts are shared on why students should consider working in small legal firms/high-street practices, as opposed to working in large/multi-national companies, with a key benefit being the ability to see client cases from start to finish. They also talk about how they maintain their professional development and consider how Gen AI will impact the sector moving forward. Finally, based on their experiences of working on the front line, they offer advice to current law students how best to identify and shape their careers.