The statistics on judicial diversity released by the Ministry of Justice in July were stark, showing that only 1.2% of judges across England and Wales are Black.

What’s more, that figure has remained static for the past 10 years, and there is currently only one High Court Judge who is black, appointed last year.

In this episode Riel Karmy-Jones KC⁠ , Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, speaks to three prominent Black Barristers, Laurie-Anne Power KC⁠, ⁠Keir Monteith KC ⁠and ⁠Stephen Akinsanya OBE about the under representation of black criminal barristers and judges, and asks whether thelack of diversity at the criminal bar and in the judiciary strikes at the heart of fairness in our criminal justice system.  

Keir, Laurie-Anne and Stephen share their personal experiences, and offer explanations as to why even in 2026, despite training and high level commitments to address racism, the problem persists, despite David Lammy, MP, being appointed in 2025 as the first black Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, who also held the post of Deputy Prime Minister, having previously highlighted the issue in 2017.  

Riel, Keir, Laurie-Anne, and Stephen all work in serious and complex criminal cases across the country.  

The episode also contains extracts from a speech made by a black member of the junior bar, Leon-Nathan Lynch⁠⁠. in 2022. ⁠

If you have opinions or experience of the issues raised in this episode, please do get in touch with the CBA via the website or through social media.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales, Kate Bex KC and Chris Henley KC talk to the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, Lord Justice Edis.

In his 45 year career at the Bar Lord Justice Edis has held many distinguished roles including; Head of Chambers at Atlantic Chambers in Liverpool, Senior Treasury Counsel of the Central Criminal Court from 2008 until 2014, High Court Judge in the King’s Bench Division. As Senior Presiding Judge, he was closely involved in restarting jury trials following the Covid 19 pandemic. He has been Vice Chair of the Sentencing Council since August 2025 and he was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2021.

In the podcast Lord Justice Edis sets out his thoughts on the efforts being made to tackle the backlog of cases in the Crown Court, and describes the different use of listing practices in some circuits which are beginning to reap rewards in terms of cutting the backlog.

The podcast touches on the increased of use of Artificial Intelligence in the courts and the arguments for and against AI. The increased use of cameras in court is discussed and what impact that may have on the criminal justice system and the public’s perception of it.

And Lord Justice Edis reflects on the negative impact of dwindling ‘conviviality’ among legal professionals and talks about his experiences as a keen cricketer, representing his Chambers in matches played with and against his colleagues.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced and edited on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales Simon Spence KC and Kate Bex KC speak to the award-winning actor and long-term supporter of the Criminal Bar, Martin Shaw.

From appearing in The Professionals in the 1980s, Judge John Deed in the 2000s and Inspector George Gently in the 2010s, Martin has often starred in leading roles relating to the criminal justice system. While he says this was more by accident than design, he does have a long-standing belief in fairness and the importance of justice. He says his career has left him with a deep respect for those working at the Criminal Bar and a desire to depict the system accurately.

As a direct consequence of his work, Martin is a long-time supporter and advocate for the Kalisher Trust, which helps young people from diverse backgrounds to make a career at the Criminal Bar.   

Criminal Justice Matters is produced and edited by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this latest episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales, Francis FitzGibbon KC and Sarah Vine KC lead a discussion on the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which is being debated in Parliament. 

They are joined by Harriet Wistrich, Chief Executive of the Centre for Women’s Justice and Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of Justice. The conversation focuses on two key elements of the proposed legislation; the reduction of the right to choose trial by jury in cases which carry a sentence of less than three years and the implications for women complainants in rape and serious sexual offence cases whose cases are subject to some of the most lengthy delays within the criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced on behalf of the CBA by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

In this episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast fromthe ⁠Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales⁠, the Member of Parliament for Hull East, Karl Turner, a former Shadow Attorney General, discusses the Government’s proposals for reform of jury trials with CBA podcast hosts Kate Bex KC ⁠ and ⁠Simon Spence KC⁠.

Karl Turner is a Labour MP and a former practising criminalbarrister who has spearheaded a cross party campaign within Parliament to maintain the existing system of right to trial by jury. The podcast sets out Karl’s vocal opposition to the Government’s stated policy of curbing jury trials, which would impact around half the existing cases in the Crown Court backlog.

Karl's campaign has placed him at odds with his party colleagues and personal friends including the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.

The podcasts explores the need to reinvest across thecriminal justice system and addresses a range of fundamental inefficiencies behind the case backlogs and delays that impact large parts of England and Wales.

The podcast references the case backlog at Kingston UponHull Crown Court, which is notable for being one of the few Crown Courts to have managed its backlog over the past year.

The case backlog in Hull reduced 9.4% to 537 over the 12 months to September 2025, compared to an increase of 9% to79,619 across England and Wales over the same period. Hull’s backlog began to rise sharply in 2019 before Covid and rose again during and post Covid. By September 2025 Hull’s case backlog was 39% higher than its low of 385 in June2019, while across England and Wales, there has been a 133% rise in the national backlog over the same six-year period.

The average waiting times from charge to trial conclusion at Hull Crown Court are also considerably better than the national averages for both remand and bail cases.

The CBA has no party-political leaning or affiliation andlistens to MPs and Peers of all political persuasions, engaging without fear or favour on issues that impact upon the functioning of the criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced on behalf ofthe Criminal Bar Association by ⁠Adam Batstone Media & Communications⁠. .  The views expressed by all contributors are their personal opinions on the topicsdiscussed. 

In this special episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales, regular hosts Kate Bex KC and Simon Spence KC are joined by The Secret Barrister.

The Secret Barrister is a practising criminal barrister whose books and blog highlighting shortcomings in the criminal justice system are read by thousands and have shone a light on the daily reality of life in Crown Courts across the land.

The Secret Barrister gives their response to recent Government recommendations to limit the use of jury trials to only the most serious cases as part of the effort to tackle the huge backlog of criminal proceedings awaiting trial.

As well as discussion on the serious issues facing the criminal justice system, the podcast touches on The Secret Barrister's recent novel The Cut Throat Trial, favourite Christmas movies and the challenges of retaining anonymity in a social media world.

Criminal Justice Matters is edited and produced on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications . The views expressed by all contributors are their personal opinions on the topics discussed. 

In this latest episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podcast from the Criminal Bar Association of England & Wales,former Chair of the CBA Mary Prior KC discusses with the Chair of the Bar Council, Barbara Mills KC the privilege, responsibility and pressures of their offices, and their efforts to help barristers of all backgrounds become the best they can be. 

Mary and Barbara share their insights into what it takes as women to have risen to the very highest positions of leadership during a time of ongoing generational shift towards greater inclusiveness, kindness and respect in the profession.

 They shine a light into the world of negotiations with justice stakeholders, and highlight the power of unity shared through mutual trust  between Chairs. 

Mary Prior KC, was CBA Chair for a year until 31 August 2025 before which she served one year as Vice Chair. Barbara Mills KC continues her term as Bar Council Chair until 31 December 2025. Riel Karmy-Jones KC succeeded Mary as CBA Chair on 1 September 2025 andcontinues to positively engage with criminal justice matters at the highest political and judicial levels, and fosters the strong, united, working Chair relationship with the  Bar Council leadership.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of theCriminal Bar Association by ⁠AdamBatstone Media &Communications⁠

For any further information on issues raised in this seriescontact: James Rossiter, CBA director of Communications ⁠07985 117887

In this third episode dealing with the Leveson Review, Daniel Oscroft, a specialist criminal barrister with over 20 years’ experience who practices from No5 Chambers, discusses the existing inefficiencies in the criminal courts system with Simon Spence KC and Kate Bex KC.  

The Leveson Review was commissioned by the Government and published on 9 July 2025. In his report, Sir Brian Leveson made a series of recommendations including limiting the right to jury trial, resolving more cases before they reach the courts, and the creation of a new Crown Court Bench Division which would see judges sit alongside two magistrates to deal with some cases without any jury present.  

Following a wide-ranging consultation with interested parties, and a survey of all practicing criminal Barristers,the CBA’s position on Part 1 of the Leveson Review has been settled and can be found here:

 The full CBA response sent to the Leveson Review on 3 February 2025, can be found here.

 Sir Brian Leveson is due to publish a second part to his review which is expected to look at how to improve efficiency within the Criminal Courts in the Autumn. 

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media &Communications

For any further information on issues raised in this series contact: James Rossiter, CBA director of Communications

07985117887

Sir Brian Leveson has published his recommendations into how changes could be made to the criminal jusitce system aimed at addressing the backlog of cases awaiting trial and taking pressure off the criminal courts.

His recommendations include limiting the right to jury trial, resolving more cases before they reach the courts and the creation of a new Crown Court Bench Division which would see judges sit alongside two magistrates to deal with some cases without any jury present.

In this episode of the Criminal Justice Matters podccast, from the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales, Simon Spence KC, Kate Bex KC and Francis FitzGibbon KC give their response , reaction and opinions to the recommendations included in the Leveson Review.

CBA members can make their views known by taking part in the CBA member survey. More details are available via the CBA website.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of the CBA by Adam Batstone Media & Communications

Kate Bex KC and Simon Spence KC are joined in this episode by Claire Waxman OBE who was appointed London’s first Independent Victims’ Commissioner in 2017.

Together they discuss the vexed issue of whether or not offenders should be forced to attend their sentencing hearing.

Is it a necessary part of the process? Should physical force be used to produce them at Court or threaten them with the loss of privileges in prison?  Would forcing them to attend present an opportunity for grandstanding, disruption and the further degradation of their victims?

Listen in to hear Kate, Simon and Claire discuss offenders, victims and the sentencing of those convicted of the most serious crimes.

Criminal Justice Matters is produced on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association by Adam Batstone Media & Communications