Rape on Trial is a fly-on-wall documentary-style podcast for listeners interested in the real-life workings of the criminal process, criminal law and proceedings.

This episode sees us back in the public gallery for another rape trial involving an intoxicated complainant. Instead of being in 'a Crown Court somewhere in England & Wales', however, this trial finds us in Northern Ireland. We're watching proceedings in a different legal jurisdiction, then, but we're looking at the same issues and asking the same question: Are outcomes in rape trials better explained by 'rape myths' or evidence and proof?

Key topics and procedural elements covered in this episode: prosecuting counsel's opening speech; consent; intoxication; special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and the complainant's evidence-in-chief; delays at court and keeping complainants/witnesses waiting.

A must listen for those practicing or studying criminal law, criminal evidence and procedure, advocacy and trial strategy, criminal justice, and criminology as well as those interested in forensic linguistics and forensic psychology.

As a detailed and comprehensive account of real court proceedings in a criminal trial in an adversarial, common law legal system, Rape on Trial is also an excellent resource for international students learning Legal English, the Language of Law, and comparative law and procedure.

Legal English Learning Practice

Legal English Comprehension Practice

Legal English Vocabulary

Applied Legal English

Legal English in the courtroom

The research behind Rape on Trial also features in our book: Doak et al, Cross-examination on Trial: Advocacy and Vulnerability in Criminal Trials (BUP 2025). 

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If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please visit our website https://criminaljusticeinaction.com for information about help and support.

Music: Hopeless Waltz by Alena Smirnova.

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