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. Through a series of case-studies drawing on (anonymised) real-life cases and trial proceedings, we see for ourselves how the criminal justice system works in rape and serious sex offences, and how it doesn't.

In this episode, we're back in a Crown Court somewhere in Northern Ireland for the second part of Patrick's jury trial. Patrick stands accused of a single count of rape.

Key topics and procedural issues covered: supplementary evidence-in-chief and the introduction of CCTV evidence; cross-examination of the complainant; consent; intoxication; judicial and prosecutor's interventions; putting the defence case to the witness; agreed evidence.

Rape on Trial is 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, this is also an excellent resource for international students learning Legal English, the Language of Law, and comparative law.

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). 

https://amzn.to/49oVqG2

This is an Amazon affiliate link which pays me a small commission. 

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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