Chancery Lane Chats

Access to Legal Aid is more important than ever, but cuts to funding make it harder and harder for people to receive legal assistance. But, say TV's Judge Rob Rinder MBE and Jeremy Brier, it’s possibly the most important protection of liberty we have as a civilised society - to give innocent people the right to defend themselves. In this latest episode, listen as Rob and Jeremy discuss the importance of Legal Aid and its critical role in protecting the rule of law.

Don’t miss Clarissa Coleman & David Speakman, partners at DAC Beachcroft, discuss the changing role of investigations lawyers. Clarissa shares her experiences of the dawn raid at the property investment firm owned by Vincent Tchenguiz. David discusses representing Dr Beatt in his whistleblowing case. Together they share their thoughts on the FCA’s suggestion of regulating firms for Diversity & Inclusion, the impact of wider cultural influences on the UK workforce & DAC Beachcroft’s multi-disciplinary investigations department.

Don’t miss Tracy Alexander, Director of Forensic Services for the City of London police, discussing the current state of forensic science, her work with Inside Justice, and having worked in forensic science for 29 years, she shares the biggest changes in the industry and how TV has skewed people’s perception of forensic scientists.

In this episode:

The biggest changes in forensics

The decline of forensic experts

TV portrayal of forensic scientists

Investigating digital and cybercrime

Inside Justice

Don’t miss Jasper Helder, senior partner at Akin Gump, and one of the most experienced professionals advising on national security, trade policy and export controls issues in the country. Jasper discusses the 2002 Enterprise Act, and the new National Security and Investment Act which will come into force in January 2022.

Key takeaways:

What the Enterprise Act 2002 was meant to do

The merging control thresholds

National pride versus national security

National Security & Investment Act

How to mitigate national security concerns

Karlia Lykourgou is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. She was called to the bar in 2013 and specialises in criminal defence cases. However, in 2020, she founded Ivy & Normanton, the first legal outfitter specialising in legal attire for women, with the aim of portraying real women and a diverse image of what it means to be a woman in law.

Key takeaways:

Launching Ivy & Normanton

The importance of court wear

What it means to be a diverse woman in law

Let Beyonce inspire you

Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe is the former Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police. Currently he’s an adviser to the Financial Crime department at city law firm Rosenblatt. What you might not know is that he has made an arrest at every single rank, has ridden a horse at the Grand National, and has ridden a police horse at every London football ground during his term.

David Marchant is an investigative journalist, the founder and editor of OffshoreAlert, the leading online portal for news on insolvencies, disputes and other problems in high value cross border finance. He discusses getting kicked out of Bermuda, starting OffshoreAlert, dealing with being sued and death threats, and the moral and ethical boundaries he won’t cross as an investigative journalist.

What made renowned litigation funding pioneer, Susan Dunn, founder of Harbour Litigation Funding, get into the business in the first place? In this Chancery Lane Chat, Susan shares her fascinating journey into litigation funding, the cases she’s most proud of, what Harbour looks for in a claim, and how litigators can access funding from Harbour. Download and listen to find out more.

Tracy Dovaston is partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, with over two decades experience in financial services regulatory investigations, and corporate investigations and disputes. What has been Tracey’s experience working in the traditionally male dominated area of investigations? And why is it mainly men who are attracted to it? And finally, what is Tracey’s top tip for women in law? Don’t miss all this and more in this special International Women’s Day episode.

Charlie Holt is a campaign lawyer for Greenpeace International who advises the charity on its legal strategy and the use of strategic communications around environmental litigation. He discusses the rise of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), why he thinks they harm free-speech and the creation of the anti-SLAPP coalition, Protect the Protest.