
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


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 in-depth case-studies drawing on case files and trial proceedings, we can see for ourselves how the criminal justice system works in rape and serious sex offence cases, and how it doesn't.
This episode sees us back in a Crown Court somewhere in NI for the dramatic conclusion of Patrick's rape trial. Patrick stands accused on a single count of rape which he denies on the basis that Caitlin, who was intoxicated at the material time, not only consented to but initiated sex.
Key topics and procedural elements covered: previous consistent statements under s120 Criminal Justice Act 2003; agreed evidence; police evidence--the testimony of the officer in the case; non-witnesses; the suspect interview; the defence case; the defendant's evidence-in-chief and cross-examination; an eye-brow raising defence witness; closing speeches and a master-class, perhaps, on how not to give a defence closing; the jury's quick and unanimous verdict.
Although put together with the general listener firmly in mind, Rape on Trial 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
By Dr Candida SaundersRape 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 in-depth case-studies drawing on case files and trial proceedings, we can see for ourselves how the criminal justice system works in rape and serious sex offence cases, and how it doesn't.
This episode sees us back in a Crown Court somewhere in NI for the dramatic conclusion of Patrick's rape trial. Patrick stands accused on a single count of rape which he denies on the basis that Caitlin, who was intoxicated at the material time, not only consented to but initiated sex.
Key topics and procedural elements covered: previous consistent statements under s120 Criminal Justice Act 2003; agreed evidence; police evidence--the testimony of the officer in the case; non-witnesses; the suspect interview; the defence case; the defendant's evidence-in-chief and cross-examination; an eye-brow raising defence witness; closing speeches and a master-class, perhaps, on how not to give a defence closing; the jury's quick and unanimous verdict.
Although put together with the general listener firmly in mind, Rape on Trial 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.