It’s easier than ever to find, subscribe and listen to podcasts, filling your ears with any subject you fancy. One of the key benefits of listening to podcasts is maximising your spare time, allowing you to learn and develop while you’re walking, driving, commuting, or even just getting chores done around the house.
By Cara Fielder. Published 17 August 2018. Last updated 22 January 2024.
Our Employability Director, John Watkins, said that podcasts are increasingly popular as they appeal to the communication preferences of the modern-day student.
“The attraction is partly by topic but also in the nature of delivery – both features need to be distinctive to capture and retain attention. As with more traditional messaging, interpretation is quite personal and what works for one may not for others. Thus, there is real benefit in variety and being efficient – short, sharp insight is the easiest to digest,” he said.
Here are John’s top picks of the legal podcasts for you to enjoy:-
Law in Action
Law in Action is BBC Radio 4’s long-running legal magazine programme, hosted by ULaw alumnus Joshua Rozenberg. The podcast features reports and discussions on all matters relating to law, from questioning if the use of facial recognition technology by the police infringes on the Human Rights Act to an interview with the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Sir Ian Burnett.
Well produced, thoughtful and easy to follow, Law in Action makes for interesting listening whether you are heading towards a career in law or not.
Serial
Serial is the most downloaded podcast of all time, investigating the murder of 18-year-old Hae Min Lee in 1999. Her classmate and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was arrested and convicted of her murder. He has always protested his innocence, but he can't remember what he was doing on the day of her murder.
Journalist Sarah Koenig re-examines the case by reviewing the evidence and interviewing the people involved. Did the justice system fail Hae and Adnan?
This American piece of investigative journalism blends together law, crime and storytelling to make addictive listening.
The Hearing
The Hearing is a Thomson Reuters podcast hosted by some of the brightest minds in the legal profession:
- Becky Annison –Head of Engagement for The Chancery Lane Project, Becky uses her knowledge of contracting and law to help tackle the climate crisis.
- Janelle Wrigley – An attorney based in California. She is head of the Antitrust & Competition team at Practical Law.
- Jennifer Thibodaux – An attorney, speaker, and writer based in New Jersey. She is a member of the Litigation team at Practical Law.
- Lauren Sobel – An attorney at Practical Law, editor, and frequent presenter on trending legal topics based in New York City.
- Yasmin Sheikh – Executive coach, trainer, consultant, and speaker, with a background as a lawyer and founder of Diverse Matters.
So far, episodes have included fascinating guests such as Dame Fiona Woolf, Lord Michael Howard, Lady Hale, Gina Miller and Trevor Sterling. We’re looking forward to seeing who they talk to next.
Law Pod UK
Law Pod UK is a podcast from the creators of the UK Human Rights blog and produced by barristers of One Crown Office Row. Hosts Rosalind English, Emma-Louise Fenelon, Jim Duffy and Lucy McCann discuss all aspects of UK civil and public law with legal professionals, professors and specialists.
Running since mid-2017 there are currently 190 episodes available, so lots to catch up on. Subjects include ‘Will AI outwit our laws?’, ‘A patient’s right to experimental medical treatment’ and it recently covered Brexit two years on. Law Pod UK is relevant and informative listening for everyone studying law.
Lawyer 2 Lawyer
Lawyer 2 Lawyer is a US-based award-winning legal podcast hosted by criminal defence lawyer J. Craig Williams. Launched in 2005, Lawyer 2 Lawyer is one of the longest-running legal podcasts.
Williams invites industry professionals to examine and debate current hot topics and recent rulings within the legal industry. Detailed analysis of well-known cases such as the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial and the ‘Making a Murderer’ trial of Steven Avery are peppered among the more common subject discussions, such as the legalities of Amazon’s Echo and gender discrimination in the workplace.
RightsUp
RightsUp is a podcast from the Oxford Human Rights Hub that aims to provide global perspectives on human rights at the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford. It delves into some very interesting and relevant subjects such as sex education in school, the future of the UK Human Rights Act and Holding Corporations Accountable for Human Rights.
The very first episode covers the hot topic of Revenge Porn and the Law, which is a fascinating subject to start with. RightsUp is clear, concise and thought-provoking, making it one of the best UK legal podcasts out there.
The University of Law Podcast
Ok, hands up, we might be a tad biased with this choice. However, during The University of Law Podcast, we speak with a variety of experts in their field of work, discussing our courses and student life as a whole. Whether you’re interested in the SQE, self-care, true crime, psychology or business, there is an episode for you. Also, keep an eye out for The Judges: Power, Politics and the People series, where former legal editor of The Times, Frances Gibb interviews some of the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades.
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