Law and Disorder: News, politics and more, from a legal perspective

Growing up in Nazi-occupied Poland, Theodor Meron had unsurprisingly very limited access to education. But with the help of family in then Palestine, Meron got a place at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and, well, the rest is history. From roles as a legal adviser of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs - and sharing some "controversial" opinions on the rights of Palestinians - to being a judge for the United Nations Criminal Tribunal, there is almost nothing the 96-year-old hasn't done; he's even writing poetry! As our guest on this week's episode, Theodor Meron regales us with the story of his life and how he came to be the 'godfather' of international humanitarian law.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producers: Ewan Cameron, Lulu Goad

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Formerly one of the largest portfolio investors in Russia, Sir Bill Browder began his foray into political activism after the lawyer Sergei Magnitsky was killed in Russian prison for investigating a raid on Browder's Moscow offices. Almost two decades later and the American-British activist has created laws, rescued hostages and received a knighthood, all whilst facing death threats, INTERPOL arrest warrants, and a Russian prison sentence in absentia. Sir Bill joins us to tell us the story from start to end, and shares his reflections on the endless battle for international human rights.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The creation and consumption of porn has always had relatively negative connotations. But today, more than ever, the industry is facing criticism as prolific algorithms push extreme videos to everyone young and old. The issue came to the fore in 2024 when French woman, Gisèle Pelicot waived her anonymity as the victim in a multiple rape case involving her husband and several strangers; that was the moment the world was forced to consider the impact that violent and abusive sexual content online could have. Just last year, the UK put into place their Online Safety Act, requiring age verification for the use of porn sites. It seemed then that a significant step had been taken to protect individuals against consuming and replicating such extreme scenes. But in January a CNN investigation into an online 'rape academy' revealed just how prominent the issue remained. One of the Senior Reporters on the story, Kara Fox, joins us for this episode, as well as House of Lords peer, Baroness Gabby Bertin, who shares with us her insight into leading an independent review into the regulation of online pornography for the UK Government.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.

Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.

Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.

Associate Producers: Ewan Cameron, Lulu Goad

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There has been much commentary lately about the role of the Chagos Islands – and particularly Diego Garcia, where there is a US military base – as a pawn in the geopolitical chess game unfolding currently across the Middle East and beyond. But the legal position of the Chagos Islands is not simple: a French territory, as part of Mauritius, then a British territory, then an overseas dependency and finally, in the 1970s, the subject of a mass deportation of locals. It is a tortured history that has led to court cases over the right to return, the position of the islands' self-determination and the lease for strategically important airbase on Diego Garcia. The lawyer and writer Philippe Sands was counsel for the Mauritian government for many years, and he joins the podcast to discuss the long struggle of the Chagossians in the face of international headwinds.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.
Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.
Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.
Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.
Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran developed into armed conflict, one of the key points of contention has been access to the Strait of Hormuz. One of the world's most important shipping lanes, the channel – which is just 21 to 24 miles across at its narrowest point – separates Iran from Oman. It has been subject to closure, from the Iranians, and blockade, by the Americans, all of which makes it a fraught case study for the complex, yet important, world of maritime law. To talk us through everything from 17th century piracy to the Cod Wars of the 20th century, we're joined by James M. Turner KC, a noted expert in this area.

Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.
Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.
Executive Producer and editor: Nick Hilton.
Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.
Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.