Law and Disorder

It might lack the dark glamour of criminal law or the ideological appeal of human rights law, but competition law is an important part of the systems that underpin our society. But in the modern age – with tech oligarchs becoming ever more influential – does it have the teeth to prevent monopolies forming? To discuss this, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn are joined by another esteemed member of the Mostyn clan: Henry Mostyn, a partner at Cleary Gottlieb, and a specialist in this corner of the legal maze.This episode was generously sponsored by Cleary Gottlieb.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

British politics seems increasingly dominated by issues surrounding immigration. With Reform surging in the polls and the 'small boats crisis' never far from the headlines, it's more important than ever to give a fair hearing to the legal and moral framework behind immigration. To do so, Helena, Charlie and Nicholas are joined by Enver Solomon, outgoing CEO of the Refugee Council and an expert in Britain's contentious immigration debate. If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Australia has recently introduced a ban on under-16s using social media, a measure that has considerable support here in the UK. But does it really tackle the core issue of Big Tech companies exposing children to addictive algorithms and dangerous content? Has the government been captured by shiny technology companies and the promise of jobs and investment? Or is there something that could be done to protect people from digital abuse? Beeban Kidron – Baroness Kidron of Angel, to her peers in the upper chamber – is a film director who has become a campaigner for digital safety. She joins the podcast for a conversation, and debate, about how best to tackle this issue.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

On January 3rd 2026, the United States launched an audacious mission to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and bring him back to the US to stand trial on charges related to "narcoterrorism". The operation has shocked the world, with some quarters celebrating the toppling of an illegitimate, authoritarian regime, and others decrying the flagrant abuse of international law. Has President Trump put the final nail in the coffin of the concept of international law? Or is there a defence for the operation via precedent or domestic law? The Law and Disorder trio – Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy and Nicholas Mostyn – assemble to discuss.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

2025 has been a hugely consequential year, with troubling assaults on the Rule of Law in the US as well as challenges to international law in the Middle East and Ukraine. Closer to home, the UK justice system continues to creak under the weight of the backlog. With so much happening, the Law & Disorder team gather (remotely) one last time for 2025, to look back over the past 12 months and ahead to the start of a new year. Are our legal norms being irreparably eroded? Or can the rules-based order reassert itself?If you want to enter the competition to win a signed copy of Edward Stourton's new book, please send your entries to lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Should misconduct be taken into account when an equitable division of assets is being attempted following a divorce? That's the question we're dealing with today, as Nicholas Mostyn – and old hand in these affairs – and Helena Kennedy are joined by Anita Mehta, a barrister and co-host of Talking Family Law. Together they talk about the law as it was, is and could possibly be, as our understanding of complex issues like domestic abuse and coercive control evolve.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Baroness Brenda Hale is one of the most experienced legal minds in the country. Having served on the Supreme Court (including a stint as the first female President) she joins this week's podcast to reflect on her storied career, the times when she came up against certain podcast hosts in court, and some of the pressing issues facing the justice system, from the future of jury trials to the alleviation of the backlog. Witty, insightful and wise, Baroness Hale's life will prove an inspiration to many.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Last week, the Law & Disorder trio had the privilege of broadcasting live from Ripon Cathedral, where they debated a key question at the heart of proposals to revamp Britain's justice system: should jury trials be consigned to history? Or is there space for a hybrid system? Tied to suggestions made by Sir Brian Leveson, the team make their arguments for and against preserving a key part of Britain's common law system.This event was kindly sponsored by Irwin Mitchell solicitors.If you have questions, criticisms, praise or other feedback, please do send your thoughts to us via lawanddisorderfeedback@gmail.com!Law and Disorder is a Podot podcast.Hosted by: Charlie Falconer, Helena Kennedy, Nicholas Mostyn.Executive Producer and Editor: Nick Hilton.Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.