In this special 2 part episode, we are joined by Dr Georgina Tsagas, a UK Accredited Mediator and Consultant Solicitor in England & Wales, expert in company law and sustainability, based in London and working across Europe.  Dr Tsagas gives a fascinating insight into the use of “mediation” as an alternative legal route to settling disputes.  We discuss what mediation is (and isn’t), why clients use this dispute resolution method, the skills needed, and some practical examples of disputes where mediation has been used.
 
In this special episode we are joined by Dr Georgina Tsagas, founder of GT Mediation | Dispute Resolution and a UK Accredited Mediator and Consultant Solicitor in England & Wales, expert in company law and sustainability, based in London and working across Europe.  Dr Tsagas gives a fascinating insight into the use of “mediation” as an alternative legal route to settling disputes. 

We discuss what mediation is (and isn’t), why clients use this dispute resolution method, the skills needed, and some practical examples of disputes where mediation has been used.  The episode also explains how mediation is different to other ways to settle disputes, such as arbitration and litigation, including how mediation is linked to the court process in different countries, or is separate from the courts. 

Dr Tsagas gives examples of how different jurisdictions have encouraged people to use mediation to settle disputes, and also explains the benefits, ranging from speed of settling a dispute, to confidentiality, and a route which offers greater flexibility than a formal court process.  We hear how mediation works practically, from evidence gathering to negotiation and closure, and also how “mediator advocates” can be involved in a mediation process (in addition to the mediators themselves). 

The skills needed for mediation are explored, and Dr Tsagas offers advice on avenues that can help you build those skills and how to build a career path in this area, including how much experience is often needed to gain such roles.   Finally, some practical examples are given of cases and types of disputes where mediation can be used successfully, ranging from family business disputes to high-stakes commercial negotiations or international conflicts. 

Actions and resources for listeners:

·       Read the article ‘The Psychology of Resolution: The art of tackling 'Cognitive Dissonance' in the “Conflict No More” Newsletter by GT Mediation | Dispute Resolution.  Which skills as a lawyer do you think will be particularly key in this specific situation?
·       Think about the use of mediation discussed in the episode: research, and then make a list of key reasons why you think it is a particularly useful way to settle a Workplace Conflict dispute between a Manager and a Team Member? For an example of a Workplace Dispute Read ‘Work-Place Bullying: How to spot it, its connection to the S of ESG and what to do about it?’ in the “Conflict No More” Newsletter by GT Mediation | Dispute Resolution.  

This episode welcomes Linden Thomas (University of Birmingham) and John Lunney (Law Society of Ireland) to talk us through Public Legal Education and how lawyers can have a big impact in helping the public to improve their legal literacy.
 
The public are all bound by the law but many individuals and groups do not know how the law impacts them and interacts with their every day life.  Public Legal Education seeks to help the public improve their knowledge of, and confidence with the law, rather than providing specific advice on a specific issue.   

This episode explores the detail of this important movement as well as delving into a subsection of public legal education – Street Law.   We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode.
 -        Look at the Moocs hosted by the Law Society of Ireland https://www.lawsociety.ie/mooc
-        Explore the Young Citizen’s website https://www.youngcitizens.org/

Useful resources
-        Definition of Public Legal Education on the Law Society Website. https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/public-legal-education 
-        Dr Sean Arthur’s article: Street Law: Creating Tomorrow’s Citizens Today  https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/lewclr19&div=41&g_sent=1&casa_token=zXZmYC7dKX0AAAAA:EfE1sg9Rvwka1t0VlvUWz-okEwQjjMv-KNX2liZzIAFZlvR74Mzes39cjR1IT1mJvyvXx6vY&collection=journals
-        The Kids Aren’t Alright: The 4 Factors Driving a Dangerous Detachment from Democracy. https://www.ukonward.com/reports/the-kids-arent-alright-democracy/
-        Street Law Inc. https://streetlaw.org/  

In this special episode we are joined Savvas Skordellis, Trainee Solicitor at Deloitte Legal, who talks about how he developed in interests for technology and its application in legal practice.  Savvas speaks about how he sought out a degree and Masters course which would allow him to specialise in this area, and also the importance of finding opportunities to apply one’s learning in practice, both within a university context and in the workplace. 

Savvas also gives us an insight into his current role, explaining what it is like to be part of a legal team, and have a training contract, at Deloitte Legal, one of the “Big 4” global advisory firms.  Savvas tells us about his choice of degree programme at the University of South Wales as a very specific, practice-focused one combining both a LLB and the Legal Practice Course – and how he began to become very curious about the impact of technology on legal practice, leading him to undertake a part-time degree in Legal Technology. 

Savvas explains also, as part of this career journey so far, how helpful he has found it to seek out opportunities to apply his academic learning in practice: ranging from opportunities to work in the Legal Advice Centre of his university to studying the Masters part-time whilst working as a Legal Technologist at Addleshaw Goddard.  Finally, Savvas shares why he sought a role in the legal services team of one of the Big 4 advisory businesses, Deloitte, his learning in the role, and how the Training Contract is structured there.  The opportunity to continue to develop his experience in the use of legal technology products is also discussed, including the development of some tools for M&A Due Diligence, which have been recognised at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards. 

Actions and resources for listeners:
·       Read this interview with a trainee lawyer at Deloitte Legal.  From both this interview, and the current podcast, what do you see as the key skills to succeed at the business?
·       Why do you think the “Big 4” global advisory businesses wanted to enter the legal services market?  Research articles online and think, if you were running the businesses, what would influence your decision?

In this special episode we are joined by Dr Angela Sherwood and Monika Sobiecki to talk about the role lawyers can play in achieving “Climate Justice”. 

We talk about what “Climate Justice” means, how both guests became so committed to working in this area, and the urgent need for all lawyers to consider the environmental impact of their work.  Also, we discuss Angela’s new (and unique) undergraduate law degree programme at QMUL, “Law and Climate Justice”. 

Monika and Angela talk about their respective pathways to the world of law and “Climate Justice”.  Angela speaks about her role at the United Nations, and how her interest grew in the political and legal aspects of climate change, and also how this linked to her interests in human rights, social justice, and the individual impact which environmental challenges are having across the world. 

This led Angela to develop a new law degree programme at QMUL to ensure that the next generation of law students are keenly aware of the relevant issues and can understand how they, as future lawyers, can be change agents to help achieve “Climate Justice”.

Monika talks about her work as a barrister, and how a client’s case she was working on (‘Climategate’) triggered a sense of needing to help more with the climate emergency – in particular making lawyers aware of the impact which their work is having globally.  Monika discusses the work of the “Lawyers are Responsible” group, and explains how students equally passionate about this topic can become involved, and why she feels this is so important.

Actions and resources for listeners:
·       Look at the topics covered in the new QMUL degree in “Law and Climate Justice”: which ones are you particularly passionate about?
·       Watch the Newsnight video on the Lawyers are Responsible website: what are your views on the “cab rank rule” for barristers and how should lawyers think about ethics in a climate crisis?
·       How are UK law students getting involved in challenging climate change? Have a look at the group Law Students for Climate Accountability and the critical demands they are making of the legal profession.

 In this special episode we are joined by two final year QMUL Law students, Simran Patel and William Green, who took up the option of embedding a year of paid work experience into their law studies.  We talk about how the opportunity to apply one’s academic learning in the workplace is powerful, the skills they built, the different private practice and in-house work environments, and the career insights which a work placement offers to guide your development.

For the in-house environment, Williams speaks about how working in the Corporate and Legal Operations teams at CHANEL led to feeling very close to the business units across the company.  How he built his commercial awareness, giving him great insight into issues a lawyer needs to think about as part of their work in a world-leading luxury brand business.  Also, William compares this experience with the private practice environment of ICB Law Firm in Kuwait, which was a fascinating insight into a law firm in a different region. 

Simran talks about how much insight her placement at BCLP gave into a career in private practice – especially how she built her confidence in dealing directly with clients, the need to be responsive, and build one’s communication skills.  Also Simran describes how the technologies which are now becoming a key part of a lawyer’s daily tool-kit mean that attention to detail is even more critical – checking what the AI and other automation tools have created.  Finally, Simran compares this private practice experience with her previous internships as part of an in-house legal team, and how all this experience has helped to shape her career thinking.   

Actions and resources for listeners:
·       Look at the QMUL placement degree student experience videos and statements here – what skills did the students develop?  And how does this list of skills link to some skills you would like to develop?
·       Read this article about In-House career paths and how you can find a path toward them – and plan your answers for the interview questions listed there!

In this podcast we hear from the CEO of Clarilis, a market leading technology platform in the sector, who shares insights into:

• The different ways technology and Generative AI are impacting the sector, including how technology is making the most of the best legal minds 
• The different elements of legal technology and how for example, large language models are being used
• The pace of change & what drives it
• How embracing generative AI frees up those in the sector to enjoy their work even more 

Plus of course tips on both routes into legal technology and how to know if it is for you

Useful links and resources:

https://www.clarilis.com/

https://www.clarilis.com/about-clarilis/careers

https://www.artificiallawyer.com/

https://www.legalcheek.com/

https://www.legalgeek.co/

This episode encourages, and guides, students on the nuts and bolts of how to go to court and watch a court case from the public gallery. 
Most courts in the country have public galleries where members of the public over the age of 14 can attend and watch hearings.   

Watching a court case whether a trial, hearing or an appeal is a wonderful way to learn more about the legal profession.  This episode aims to give listeners all the nitty gritty information they need to get the confidence to go to court and watch. 

Useful Resources:         
Here is a page about criminal sentencing being televised and there is a You Tube link towards the bottom of the page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/broadcasting-crown-court-sentencing       
Watch current and past cases at the Supreme Court here: https://www.supremecourt.uk/         
Competition Appeal Tribunal Website (with livestream towards the top of the page). https://www.catribunal.org.uk/   

This special episode records a live stream panel event with criminal lawyers discussing their work and views.  The episode has audience contributions from aspiring lawyers.   

In this special episode Fran welcomes three criminal lawyers to join her on a panel discussing the nuts and bolts of working in criminal practice.  Barristers Beth Crocker and Sonal Dishani and solicitor Harun Matin get stuck in to all the wonderful questions that our audience and Fran have for them.  A must listen for anyone interested in working in criminal law.   

This podcast is packed with useful advice from Clare Grant, BPP’s Commercial Director of Legal Apprenticeships.  Kerry Jarred and Clare discuss the increasing adoption and impact of apprenticeship programs in the legal sector, particularly solicitor apprenticeships.  If you want to understand how apprenticeships differ from the traditional training contract route, how they are structured and what would be expected of you, this is the key podcast to listen to!

Resources:

Apprenticeships | Learn About Apprenticeships And Find The Right One For You (ucas.com)

Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships at BPP | BPP

GetMyFirstJob | Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships, Work Experience & Graduate Jobs

Home (notgoingtouni.co.uk)

Young Professionals – YPUK (young-professionals.uk)

Professional network for young people (uptree.co)

Free Virtual Work Experience Programs from Top Companies - Forage (theforage.com)

Welcome to The 93% Club | The State School Members' Club (93percent.club)

 If you want to learn about the world of Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity and Venture Capital – then this is the show for you!  Kerry Jarred speaks with Sam Smith and Raghav Vohora of CMS to explore the current corporate market activity and its drivers, what investors look for when making investment decisions, and how corporate lawyers support their clients in this sector.  It is PACKED full of information as Sam and Raghav de-mystify key corporate terms and provide useful advice to those wanting to find out more.

Resources:

Finimize: Invest smarter

Financial Times (ft.com)

The Economist | Independent journalism

LittleLaw

Law firm specialised in Mergers & Acquisitions - CMS in the UK

The Secret Barrister by The Secret Barrister | Waterstones