Kids Law

Here is a look back at our 2026 episodes in a nutshell - for those who want to dip in and out, we compiled a short episode of highlights to put some legal lessons into your summer break. Enjoy!
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

What do 16 and 17-year-olds need to be able to vote in UK General Elections?
The Government plans to lower the voting age to 16 before the next General Election. But changing the law is only the beginning.
If 1.8 million young people are voting for the first time, how will they learn about politics? Where can they find trustworthy information? How do they avoid misinformation online? And what can schools, families and politicians do to help?
In this episode of Kids Law, Alma-Constance and Lucinda are joined by Harriet Andrews, Founder and Director of The Politics Project, an organisation that works with thousands of schools and youth organisations across the UK to help young people understand democracy and politics. Together they explore why young people already care deeply about issues that affect their lives, why confidence and good information matter just as much as the right to vote, and why political parties may need to rethink how they communicate with a new generation of voters.
You'll hear about:
Why lowering the voting age is only the first step
How young people can prepare for their first vote
The role of schools, youth groups and political parties
How elections are organised in the UK
Why misinformation and AI make finding reliable information harder
Lessons from Scotland and Wales, where 16 and 17-year-olds already vote
What politicians need to do differently to engage young people
Harriet's advice for anyone who hopes to vote for the first time
As always, Alma also asks Hattie our favourite Kids Law question:
What were you like when you were 10 years old?
Hattie says she loved trading gel pens and wanted to be an architect!
We'd love to hear from you!
If the voting age is lowered to 16, would you be excited to vote?
Further Reading
Harriet Andrews
The Politics Project
Electoral Commission
Democracy Classroom
Easy Peasy Politics BBC Bitesize
Childline – 0800 1111
Kids Law
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

What does the Lord Chancellor actually do? Who makes sure judges can make decisions independently? Why are courts taking so long to hear cases? And should children as young as 10 be held criminally responsible for their actions?
In this episode Alma-Constance and Lucinda speak to Sir Robert Buckland KC, former Lord Chancellor, Justice Secretary, Solicitor General and criminal barrister, about one of the oldest and most important roles in the British constitution.
They discuss
·       why laws often take years to pass through Parliament
·       he believes trial by jury should be protected
·       how artificial intelligence could help reduce court delays
·       why laws often take a long time to pass through Parliament
The conversation also explores issues affecting young people, 
·       including the age of criminal responsibility
·       modern slavery involving children  
·       Votes at 16 and understanding democracy
·       Smartphones, smoking and new laws
Sir Robert shares memories of his own childhood, discusses his new podcast Hidden Wiring, and offers inspiring advice for anyone interested in a career in law.
Kids Law is a fascinating introduction to law, politics and justice for young people, families and teachers alike.
Resources
Robert Buckland - Wikipedia
Robert Buckland website
Instagram
The Church Commissioners
Office of the Lord Chancellor
Age of Criminal Responsibility E&W CPS
Voting age of 16 House of Commons Library 
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

Who makes the rules in space—and what happens when things go wrong?
Did you know there are more than 11,000 satellites orbiting Earth—and no traffic lights in space? From falling space debris to future cities on the Moon, this episode explores how laws work beyond Earth with leading international space lawyer Joanne Wheeler.
Together, we explore:
• How space law began—and why it was created
• What happens if space debris falls back to Earth
• The growing issue of space sustainability and debris
• Whether countries and companies can mine the Moon
• What life (and laws) might look like on Mars
Joanne also shares how she became a space lawyer—and why there are exciting career opportunities for young people interested in space.
If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and wondered who’s in charge up there this episode is for you!
Guest: Joanne Wheeler, MBE, Managing Partner at Alden Legal and international expert in space law. Joanne advises governments and companies on satellite launches, space regulation, and sustainability—and is helping shape the future of life beyond Earth. 
Resources
The National Space Centre
National Space Academy
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Royal Astronomical Society 
Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)
UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS)
Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
Need help or advice?
Call Childline: 0800 1111 (UK, free and confidential)
Visit: www.childline.org.uk
Kids Law is a podcast helping young people understand how the law affects their everyday lives—from school rules to big global issues like human rights and space exploration.
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

Why does funding legal advice matter and how law affects everyone in society and why delays in courts and overcrowded prisons are becoming a serious problem.  Alma-Constance and Lucinda explore what’s happening inside the UK’s justice system with Richard Atkinson, criminal defence solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience and the 180th President of the Law Society of England and Wales. 
In this episode we discuss
Why criminal trials are now scheduled  four years into the future, what prison overcrowding means for justice
Why legal aid is such an important public service
How early legal advice can prevent problems in areas like housing and  family life
Whether the age of criminal responsibility should be raised
The importance of investing in courts, lawyers and modern technology
Richard also shares a powerful story from his career defending children and young people and that when he was 10 years old he wanted to be an RAF pilot and fly fast jets!
Together we discuss how the justice system works, why funding matters, and how law affects everyone in society — even if we don’t think about it every day.
As always, Kids Law helps young people understand how laws affect them — and how they can shape the future.
If you have worries or need support:
Childline: 0800 1111 (free confidential advice for under 18)
Visit: www.kidslaw.info
Please subscribe, rate and share the podcast — and keep your brilliant questions coming.
Resources
Richard Atkinson LinkedIn
Richard Atkinson with Law Society Gazette
The Law Society
Tuckers Solicitors
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!