Shows
Kids LawCan You Smack a Child? What the Law Says in the UK.Research shows that smacking a child can be physically and emotionally damaging and it’s not an effective way to discipline them. In some parts of the UK, such as Scotland and Wales, smacking a child is against the law, even if you’re just visiting. But in England and Northern Ireland, the law is different - parents can still claim a defence of ‘reasonable punishment’.In this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda speak to Amy Packham, a criminal barrister, Deputy Head of Lamb Building...2025-06-0523 min
Kids LawDoes the law protect young online influencers?WARNING: Adults might want to listen to this episode before listening with young children, as we mention the words self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders in the context of examples of harmful online content.What are the legal implications for young people becoming influencers online? What happens if brands offer them sponsorship deals? These activities raise commercial, consent and ownership legal issues.Alma-Constance and Lucinda speak to Steve Kuncewicz, Partner at Glaisyers Solicitors. Steve is an expert in the law that affects the creative, digital and marketing world and he joined the our hosts to talk...2025-05-0124 min
Kids LawCan rivers and forests have legal rights?There are laws which are supposed to protect our environment, but they haven’t stopped pollution and the destruction of the natural world. So, some rivers and forests gave been granted enforceable legal rights to stop this habitat destruction. Alma-Constance and Lucinda discussed this with one of the co-founders of the Lawyers for Nature organisation: Paul Powlesland a barrister at Garden Court Chambers; and he told us:· Why Lawyers for Nature was founded· How having legal rights gives nature a voice in the legal system· About the cases he has been involved with to help local...2025-03-2727 min
Kids LawDid you know that ten year old children can treated as criminals in this country?That's right... the age of criminal responsibility for children in England & Wales is only 10 years old! This is the lowest age in Europe and one of the lowest worldwide. Alma- Constance and Lucinda talk to Kirsty Brimelow KC, an expert in international human rights, public and criminal law and recently elected Vice Chair of the Bar Council for 2025. She explained:How the law of criminal responsibility has come aboutThe sorts of crimes that children are charged withThe impact on the lives of children who are put into the criminal justice systemThe attempts to raise the age of criminal...2025-02-2730 min
Kids LawA look back at Series 4In this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda look back at Series 4 where they've been talking to people working in the legal system who explain how laws affect us in everyday life, particularly for children and young people. The 12 episodes cover:the new Online Safety Act,alternative ways to resolve disputes, and why the Old Bailey is so famous, how the law affects children when someone dies and if the king has to obey the law,the role of ethics in law, how human rights can be used to protect children and the difference between human rights and civil liberties,w...2025-01-2906 min
Kids LawAll about InquiriesAfter a major tragedy, public inquiries look at what happened, why it happened, and who is to blame, and what could be done to prevent this happening again. One of the most notorious is the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry, where many innocent people were falsely accused of crimes. Alma and Lucinda spoke to Flora Page, a barrister at 23 Essex Street Chambers, she recently represented the sub postmasters in the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. She told us: · Why inquiries are so important when there has been a major tragedy · How they ensure organisations are held accou...2024-12-1822 minKids LawWhy is the Old Bailey the most famous criminal court in England and Wales?The Old Bailey is the nickname for the court that hears the most serious criminal cases in England and Wales.Alma and Lucinda spoke to Her Honour, Judge Anuja Dhir KC, the first non-white judge to be appointed. She tells us:about her role as a judge and what it's like to work in such a historic court how children and young people are involved in the criminal justice systemthe special procedures that are used to take their evidence and support themwhat it was like changing from being a barrister to a judgeher experience of diversity in the...2024-11-1424 minKids LawHow does the law impact children when someone dies?WARNING: This episode mentions death and dying in the context of the legal implications of death.We know that law affects us during our lives but what happens when we die to all our things social media accounts even our pets? And how are children affected? Alma and Lucinda talk to Melinda Giles, the Head of the Private Client and Court of Protection department at Giles Wilson Law Ltd about the law and procedures when we die.She tells us· What is the legal process following death and what happens to our things2024-10-1021 min
Kids LawLaw, Tech and How It Affects Kids As They Grow Up.At the Future Lawyer UK Conference, co-host Alma-Constance interviews Richard Susskind on Law, Tech and How It Affects Kids As They Grow Up. In this special interview, questions such as how AI will affect how laws are drafted will be explored!Professor Richard Susskind OBE KC (Hon) is half-lawyer, half-technologist. He has written 10 books and his work has been translated into 18 languages. His eleventh book, How to Think About AI: A Guide to the Perplexed, is to be published in the coming year. With his son, Daniel, he co-authored The Future of the Professions (2015, 2022), which...2024-09-1826 minKids LawOnline Safety Act - what is being done to keep children safe onlineAdults might want to listen to this episode before listening with young children, as we mention the words self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders in the context of examples of harmful online content.The new Act aims to protect young people from harmful content online and puts new obligations on online platforms to make them more responsible for their users safety.Alma - Constance and Lucinda speak to Jess Smith, Ofcom's online safety director, who explains: · How the Act will stop children being harmed by online activity.· What tech companies will have to do to protec...2024-09-1826 min
Kids LawHow can laws protect creative works?If you write a song, create music or a fantastic invention, what can you do if someone copies your hard work?Alma- Constance and Lucinda speak to His Honour Judge Richard Hacon, Presiding Judge of the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, known as IPEC.He tells us· That creative works, inventions and designs can be legal protected by intellectual property rights· There are different types of rights such as trademarks, design rights, patents, and copyrights· How important it is that people can make a living from their creative work · The ways that the...2024-07-2228 min
Kids LawDo you have to go to court to resolve disputes?Going to court can be lengthy, expensive and leave people feeling dissatisfied with the outcome. Alma- Constance and Lucinda speak to Frederick Way who is a Senior Dispute Resolution Consultant, Mediator and Trainer the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). He tells us · the alternative ways to resolve disputes · How mediation works· How people can be encouraged to work together to solve problems· Cases where children are involved and how their voices are heard· How young people are trained in schools to do peer mediation with their classmatesWhen Frederic...2024-04-2227 minKids LawWhat is the role of ethics in law?What does ethics mean and why is it so important in the legal system and can it ensure that lawyers can be trusted? Alma- Constance and Lucinda speak to Richard Moorhead, Professor of Law and Professional Ethics at the University of Exeter Law School and Honorary Professor of Law at UCL. He is also a member of the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board in relation to the Post Office Horizon scandal.He tells us · What ethics means · Why it’s so important in the legal system· How lawyers are trained to be ethical in thei...2024-03-1923 min
Legally Speaking PodcastEmpowering Youth through The Kids Law Journey - Alma-Constance Denis-Smith & Lucinda Acland - S7E43Send us a text In a special episode of The Legally Speaking Podcast, we're joined by the dynamic duo behind Kids Law, Alma-Constance Denis-Smith & Lucinda Acland. Together, they're on a mission to demystify the legal world for children and their families, one episode at a time. Alma-Constance, a young leader with a passion for making a difference, and Lucinda, a qualified solicitor turned dedicated podcast host, share their journey from the initial concept to the creation of Kids Law. Th...2024-02-2634 min
Kids LawA look back at 3 Years of Kids Law!Alma-Constance and Lucinda take a look back at the top 5 episodes over the 3 year lifespan of Kids Law podcast. This episodes features:- former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett, the most downloaded episode - former head of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Sir Max Hill KC, the most publicised episode across media - former president of the UK Supreme Court, Baroness Brenda Hale - barrister Adam Wagner, the only guest to have been featured twice on the episode, once joined by his daughter - barrister Sultana Tafadar KC, also joined by her daugh...2024-02-1325 minKids LawHow to practice law without going to university.Did you know that you don’t have to go to university to become a lawyer? Some 17,000 people have been trained to become chartered legal executives (CILEX lawyers) who are fully qualified legal professionals. Alma-Constance and Lucinda spoke to Emma Davies the CILEX President who tells us about:The different schemes to train as a paralegal, legal executive or apprentice for those who want to specialise in a particular area of law.The flexible studying opportunities whilst working in an organisation.Some of the case studies of people from all different educational backgrounds.Some of the types...2024-02-0622 minKids LawHow law centres tackle the causes of poverty and inequality in our communitiesGetting legal advice can be very expensive and many people can't afford it. Law centres are based in local communities to give free legal advice and assistance with social welfare problems such as homelessness, advice about welfare benefits and employment and immigration issues. Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to Franck Kiangala, Director and Immigration Solicitor at North Kensington Law Centre. He tells us:· why and how law centres were created · the type of cases they are involved with in the North Kensington community· why is it so important to have law centres today· ...2024-01-0622 minKids LawWhat’s the difference between civil liberties and human rights?The UK signed the European Convention on Human Rights, which covers both human rights and civil liberties, and it is part of our law. But how are they different? Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to Shami Chakrabarti CBE, PC who sits in the House of Lords and is a human rights activist. She tells us:· how civil liberties and human rights work to protect us all· how the rule of law relates to civil liberties and human rights· Shami’s work to protect children's rights and why the voting age should be 16 years old· w...2023-12-0126 min
Kids LawIs the King above the law?In May 2023, King Charles III was crowned as the new monarch for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Part of his role, every year, the monarch is invited to open the new parliamentary session - and, this November, King Charles III is opening Parliament for the first time as King. Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to Sir John Baker, an English legal historian who was the Downing professor of the laws of England at the University of Cambridge and he told us about the King’s role in making and upholding laws and the constitutional monarchy. We discuss:...2023-11-0622 minKids LawHow human rights can be used to protect children and promote equality.Human rights are for everyone, but some groups do not get access to them equally. Why is this and what can be done? Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to Sultana Tafadar KC and her 11 year old daughter Safiyah, who tell us about their work and why they set up the Girls Human Rights Hub and:· why Sultana chose to work as a human rights lawyer.· how human rights protect children in criminal cases.· why girls need special protection and that boys can be involved too.· why they launched Girls Human Rights Hub and what it p...2023-10-1026 min
Kids LawWhat we learnt in Series 3In this round up episode, we look back at Series 3 in which we discuss how law affects children and young people and why it's important that we all understand how the legal system works. We have discussed how laws are involved with:· artificial intelligence that can affect how we think and form our views· how the NSPCC and ICO work to help keep children safe online· how children can be involved in creating laws with children in mind · who advises the government about writing and putting laws into practice · our con...2023-09-1407 minKids LawHow the ICO works to protect children onlineHow are children protected online and who is responsible for enforcing this?Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner Regulatory Policy at the Information Commissioner’s Office who tells us:· About her role and the work of ICO· the impact of the Children’s Code developed to protect children· the ICO’s involvement with the the Online Safety Bill · what can be done to stop bullying of children on social media platforms · when is it safe for a child to have a smartphone· how the ICO works with other orga...2023-07-2924 minKids LawWhat does an MP do?What does an MP do when they are in government and in opposition and what is the role of law in politics.?In this episode Lucinda and Alma-Constance talk to Alma’s local MP, Karen Buck a member of the Labour Party who has been a politician for over 25 years and was part of the Labour government, working at the Department for Transport. Karen tells us: · About her role in making laws in Parliament.· What it was like when she was a government minister· What opposition MPs do · How MPs w...2023-07-0627 minKids LawWho gives the government legal advice about its laws?MPs vote to create or amend new laws in Parliament but how do they know who gives the government legal advice about the laws it wants to introduce, how they're written and then put into operation. Alma- Constance and Lucinda ask Susanna McGibbon, the government's most senior legal official in the civil service and permanent secretary of the government legal department, which provides the full range of legal services to government departments and other public bodies. Susanna tells us:· Why she’s called the Treasury Solicitor· How important it is for the rule of law to be...2023-06-0218 minKids LawWhy are Children’s Rights in Scotland the Strongest in the UK?Why has Scotland given children the strongest rights in the UK? Alma- Constance and Lucinda ask Bruce Adamson, the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland. He tells us:· How he works with his team to promote and safeguard the rights of everyone in Scotland up to the age of 18.· About the three laws he wanted to change to raise the age of criminal responsibility, stop the physical punishment of children and how he brought the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish law. · How he works with children’s panels who aske...2023-04-2428 minKids LawWhat is the Rule of Law and why is it important?It sounds right that the law should be applied equally to everyone – but what does this mean and what does it need to work properly? Alma- Constance and Lucinda ask Abiodun Michael Olatokun, trustee at the Law for Life Organization, past head of public and youth engagement, diversity officer and research leader for the citizen and rule of law at the Bingham Center and who is currently undertaking traineeship at Matrix Chambers to be a barrister. He tells us:· what the rule of law means · why it needs access to justice, fair courts, and an indep...2023-03-2728 minKids LawWhy we have juries and are they a good thing?Why we have juries and are they a good thing? Each year about 200,000 people undertake jury service, and they play a vital role in deciding the facts and evidence in trials and inquests. Recently, Lucinda was a juror and Alma-Constance asks about her experience and we talk to Professor Leslie Thomas KC about why it is so important for ordinary people to be involved in trials and inquests to ensure fairness, transparency, and trust in our legal system.Leslie tells us:· what a jury means and the cases they are involved with· how jurors ar...2023-03-0128 minKids LawWho makes the law and what do animal skins have to do with Acts!We must obey the law whether we know about it or not! In this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda ask Dr. Mari Takayanagi, historian, author, and the senior Parliamentary Archivist - part of a team which manages the more than 4 million historic records going back more than 500 years at the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Mari tells us:· About the Magna Carta and the oldest Act and how they both mention children · Why Acts were written on animal skins · Why we need to know about laws created long ago· ...2023-02-0929 minKids LawWhen can children consent to medical treatment?In this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda ask about when children can make decisions about medical treatment and why sometimes a court is involved. They talk to Imogen Goold, Professor of Medical Law at St Anne's College Oxford university and Gresham visiting professor, as she is an expert in the area of how doctors and parents talk to children about illness, their rights, and responsibilities and how the courts become involved in these decisions. Imogen tells us· who makes the decisions about children’s medical treatment at different ages· what happens if the parents disagree wi...2023-01-2118 minKids LawWhat is a constitution and how does it work?How does our the constitution work to controls those with power over citizens and make sure governments act properly? Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to leading human rights barrister, Adam Wagner of Doughty Street Chambers who he has written a new book called ‘Emergency State’ which looks at the way that lockdown laws during the pandemic were made and the bigger picture of why the way laws are made and enforced is such an important topic to understand. He tells us· Why countries have a constitution and how it controls the government from having too much power2022-12-2221 minKids LawWhy it is important to challenge organisations with power**WARNING – this episodes mentions the Manchester bomb attack, self-harm and death in the context of inquests**Why do some people need to bring legal challenges against the police; and why it is important for people to be able to challenge organisations with power? In this episode, Alma- Constance and Lucinda speak to Christian Weaver, a barrister from Garden Court North Chambers in Manchester who specialises in inquests, public inquiries, civil actions against the police and public authorities, prison law, and public law. He was ranked as a Tier 1 rising star barrister in the newly published Le...2022-11-0925 minKids LawHow young people can be protected online In this episode, Alma- Constance and Lucinda want to know more about the risks that children face online, and how they can be protected when they use the internet.They speak to Andy Burrows from the NSPCC, who is head of child safety online policy. He tells us about common risks that children can face online Whether there are laws to protect children online What children can do if they experience bullyingWhat protections social media platforms use Advice about the minimum settings on devices and use o...2022-10-1127 minKids LawHow laws can protect the impact of the internet on our thoughts and viewsIn this episode, Alma- Constance and Lucinda discuss the role of the internet and how it can affect the way we think and how laws can protect the way we can express our thoughts and views online.They speak to Susie Alegre, international human rights barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and author of Freedom to Think. She is a pioneer in looking at digital human rights and her book explores the impact of artificial intelligence on the human rights to freedom of thought and opinion.She...2022-09-0617 minKids LawWhat we learnt in Series 2In this short round up episode , we look back on what we have learnt in Series 2 about how law affects children and young people and why it's important that we understand how the legal system works. We have discussed:How the courts deal with different types of cases and the difference between criminal and civil courtsThe work of the House of Lords and how people become members of the House of LordsThe appeal process and the work of the Supreme CourtThe work of solicitors, barristers, magistrates and tribunalsThe role of law in banning witchcraft and even Christmas! How th...2022-06-1405 minKids LawHow the law affects children and criminal gangs.In this episode, Alma- Constance and Lucinda talk to Sarah Forshaw QC, an experienced specialist criminal barrister who is the co-head of chambers at 5 King's Bench Walk in London, about the law relating to children and gangs.She explains: Why some children and young people want to join a street gang and what can happen if they get caught up in crime; What county lines means and why gangs are using this method of involving children;That a child or young person is entitled to legal advice if the po...2022-05-0920 minKids LawAll about the work of tribunalsIn this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda hear more about the important work of tribunals which is a dispute resolution system designed to be easier, quicker, cheaper and less formal than using courts. There are 14 different types of tribunals in the United Kingdom, which cover lots of areas of our lives to do with employment, benefits and immigration and local government decisions and between them they have almost 6,000 judges and members.We speak to Senior President of Tribunals, Rt. Hon. Sir Keith John Lindblom, who tell us:· how the tribunals...2022-04-0421 minKids LawThe role of solicitors - I.Stephanie BoyceIn this episode, Alma- Constance and Lucinda learn more about solicitors, their work and role in the legal system. They speak to I. Stephanie Boyce, who is the President of the Law Society of England and Wales, which represents over 200,000 solicitors.She is the 177th president, the sixth female, the first black office holder, the first person of colour, and the second in-house solicitor in almost 50 years to become the President of the Law Society of England and Wales. · She tells us about the role of a solicitor 2022-03-0417 minKids LawAll rise in the Crown Court!In this episode, Alma- Constance and Lucinda learn more about the work of judges and juries in the crown court. They speak to Her Honour Judge Deborah Taylor, who is the Resident Judge at Southwark Crown Court in London, which is the fourth largest in the country and she is also Recorder of Westminster. She also sits in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division and in the High Court Queen’s Bench Division and Administrative Court. She is the Treasurer of the Inner temple and was a Judicial Appointments Commissioner from 2011-2013.She tells us ho...2022-02-1425 min
Kids LawWhat do magistrates do?In this episode, Alma- Constance and Lucinda hear more about the important work of magistrates as about 95 % of cases are heard before ordinary people in Magistrates' Courts and these magistrates make up 85% of the judiciary in England and Wales, who sit in criminal family and youth courts. They speak to Katherine Sirrell, who is a magistrate and deputy chair of the Young Magistrates Network, which is a part of the Magistrates Association. · She tells us about the difference between magistrates and judges and why we have magistrates· The type of case...2022-01-1725 minKids LawAll about barristers - Derek Sweeting QCIn this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda find out what a barrister does and talk to Derek Sweeting QC, President of the Bar Council 2021 who is now a High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division and a Recorder in the Crown and County Courts.We discuss:the difference between a solicitor and a barristerwhy some barristers wear wigs and gownswhy it is so important for the Bar to be independent and how that is related to the rule of law why diversity at the Bar is es...2021-12-2421 minKids LawWho banned Christmas? Special episodeIn this special Christmas episode Alma-Constance and Lucinda find out if there are any laws that affect Christmas. We talk to Russell Sandberg, Professor of Law at the School of Law and Politics at Cardiff University in Wales, who has a particular interest in law, history, and religion and who tells us why we have laws that affect how people celebrate events together.He tells us about laws created to keep Christmas Day special and we hear about feasts, rude carols and what a court jester called Roland had to do for King John!Russell al...2021-12-2021 min
Kids LawThe High Court and how judges are appointedIn this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to the Honourable Mrs Justice Joanna Smith DBE, a High Court Judge, to ask her about the cases that are heard in the High Court and how judges are appointed to the High Court. We discuss:· the three different types of courts within the High Court which deal with civil cases and where are they based· what Joanna does in a typical working day as a judge· what happens if people aren’t happy with a decision in the high court· how she became a barrister and ju...2021-12-0920 min