The Litigation Podcast

35 - Public Law Conference 2026: Part 3 with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Lord Burnett of Maldon, Thomas de la Mare KC, Charlotte Kilroy KC and Naina Patel KC

Welcome to episode 35 of The Litigation Podcast. In this episode, Lord Burnett of Maldon presents highlights from Session 3 of the Public Law Conference 2026, with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Thomas de la Mare KC, Charlotte Kilroy KC and Naina Patel KC discussing the rule of law. If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 with Hanif Mussa KC, Tom Leary, Daniel Cashman, Flora Robertson & Rayan Fakhoury and Part 2 with Hanif Mussa KC, Iain Steele, Tom Coates, Rachel Jones & Tom Lowenthal.

34 - Public Law Conference 2026: Part 2 with Hanif Mussa KC, Iain Steele, Tom Coates, Rachel Jones and Tom Lowenthal

Welcome to episode 34 of The Litigation Podcast. In this episode, Hanif Mussa KC presents recorded highlights from Session 2 of the Public Law Conference 2026. Tom Coates discusses interim relief in judicial review: principles and practice. Tom Lowenthal examines Duty of Candour. Iain Steele discusses the latest on delay. Rachel Jones discusses practice and procedure, with some updates from the Administrative Court. If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 with Hanif Mussa KC, Tom Leary, Daniel Cashman, Flora Robertson & Rayan Fakhoury and stay tuned for Part 3 with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Thomas de la Mare KC, Charlotte Kilroy KC & Naina Patel KC!

33 - Public Law Conference 2026: Part 1 with Hanif Mussa KC, Flora Robertson, Daniel Cashman, Tom Leary and Rayan Fakhoury

Welcome to episode 33 of The Litigation Podcast. In this episode, Hanif Mussa KC presents recorded highlights from Session 1 of the Public Law Conference 2026. Flora Robertson discusses automated decision making in public law. Daniel Cashman explores the availability and scope of judicial review of a public body’s private law decision-making. Rayan Fakhoury examines international Law and Judicial Review. Tom Leary discusses deference and Margin of Appreciation. Stay tuned for Part 2 with Iain Steele, Tom Coates, Tom Lowenthal & Rachel Jones and Part 3 with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Thomas de la Mare KC, Charlotte Kilroy KC & Naina Patel KC!

32 – Commercial Breakfast Briefing March 2026 with Andrew George KC, Luka Krsljanin, Antonia Eklund and Grant Kynaston

The Blackstone Commercial Breakfast Briefing returns for its first outing of 2026. In this episode, Luka Krsljanin first takes an in-depth look at recent developments in primary, vicarious and accessory liability in the context of fraud claims. Keeping him company over the croissants, Antonia Eklund highlights the recent landmark decision in Municipo de Mariana v BHP & ors. (the Brazilian Dam case) whilst Grant Kynaston examines the significance of the Privy Council’s decision concerning the need for subjective awareness of representations in the tort of deceit - Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) v Ivanishvili & ors. Andrew George KC polices proceedings from the Chair.

31 - Mediation: Voluntary and Involuntary

Welcome to episode 31 of the Litigation Podcast: Mediation: Voluntary and Involuntary. In the first in a series of short podcasts on mediation, Mark Shaw KC and Jane Mulcahy KC remind us of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and share thoughts on how mediation can be a powerful tool in even the most contentious and combative case.

30 - The Impact of AI: Are Existing Laws Enough?

Tune in to episode 30 of The Litigation Podcast: The Impact of AI: Are Existing Laws Enough? AI-powered automated systems are rapidly reshaping decision-making across sectors. In this episode, the panel examines whether current legal frameworks are sufficiently robust and adaptable to meet the challenges this poses. The discussion addresses two core issues: the right to a human decision and the legal implications of automated decision-making by public authorities and private entities. It then assesses how these challenges are already playing out in practice across both the public and private sectors. The panel asks: do we need new legal safeguards, or can existing laws rise to the occasion? The seminar was chaired by James Segan KC, Blackstone Chambers, and the episode includes: Jeremias Adams-Prassl, Professor of Law & Associate Dean (Research), Oxford University, Blackstone Chambers Academic Panel Member Joe Tomlinson, Professor of Administrative Law at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London, Blackstone Chambers Academic Panel Member Ravi Mehta, Blackstone Chambers Ava Mayer, Blackstone Chambers Hugo Murphy, Blackstone Chambers

29 - Commercial Breakfast Briefing September 2025 with Alan Maclean KC, Andrew George KC, Andrew Scott KC, Fraser Campbell KC, Tom Leary, Marlena Valles and Madelaine Clifford

The Blackstone Breakfast Briefing returns with a roller-coaster round-up of the summer’s key fraud-related judgments. In this episode, the speakers will explore sanctions, illegality and public policy (Alan MacLean KC and Tom Leary – Eurochem v Societe Generale), deep-fake AI images (Marlena Valles – Getty Images v Stability AI), and judgments obtained by fraud (Madelaine Clifford – Commercial Bank of Dubai v Al Sari). Meanwhile, the wealth of recent judgments means the ever-popular Case of the Quarter slot takes on an extended role – as Cases of the Quarter. Fraser Campbell KC highlights the significant insurance judgment in Axa v Santander whilst Andrew Scott KC reports on car finance and all things fiduciary from the Supreme Court (Hopcroft v Close Brothers et al). Andrew George KC keeps everyone honest and on time from the Chair.

28 - Litigating War - Ukraine v Russia 2025

Welcome to episode 28 of the Blackstone Chambers Litigation Podcast: Litigating War - Ukraine v Russia 2025. This session followed the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber judgment of 9 July 2025 in which the Grand Chamber revisited its case law on jurisdiction and held Russia responsible for “an unprecedented and flagrant attack on the fundamental values of the Council of Europe” and for widespread violations of the Convention across Ukraine dating back to 2014 and embracing all aspects of the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022. The judgment has been described by a former President of the Court as the greatest in the 65 year history of the Court. The session was chaired by Tim Otty KC, leading counsel for Ukraine, with speakers including Tom Richards KC, Naina Patel KC, Jason Pobjoy KC, George Molyneaux and Isabel Buchanan, all of whom were also part of Ukraine’s counsel team.

27 - Commercial Breakfast Briefing February 2025 with Tim Otty KC, Tom de la Mare KC, Andrew George KC, Andrew Scott KC, Peter Head, Gayatri Sarathy and Drishti Suri

Blackstone Chambers’ Breakfast Briefing is back and thrilled to start 2025 by celebrating Blackstone Chambers’ recent sponsorship of the Conflicts of Laws Prize on the University of Oxford’s prestigious BCL course. Andrew Scott KC surveys recent events with our keynote conflicts address before Blackstone’s barristers run through a series of their recent stand-out cases in the field including Tom de la Mare KC (Kingdom of Spain v London Steam-Ship Owners’ Mutua), Peter Head (Magomedov v TPG Group), Gayatri Sarathy (Kireevav Bedzhamov), Tim Otty KC and Drishti Suri. Andrew George KC smoothes everything over from the Chair.

26 - Using the law to fight slavery in the UK - a podcast with legal charity Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit

In this episode, ATLEU’s Jamila Duncan-Bosu talks with Blackstone’s Charlotte Kilroy KC about ground-breaking litigation brought by Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU), on behalf of a young Indonesian man on a seasonal worker visa who was left homeless and in serious debt following exploitation on a UK fruit farm. The case argues that the visa scheme lacks the necessary safeguards to protect people from slavery and exploitation. Jamila also celebrates ten years of ATLEU’s work as the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialist legal representation to survivors of trafficking and slavery and advocating for their rights and justice. Featured on the podcast: Charlotte Kilroy KC is expert in a wide range of areas of public law, civil law and human rights law. She has extensive expertise in bringing judicial review challenges to systems and policies, and has been involved in many of the leading cases on procedural fairness, natural justice and access to court. Jamila Duncan-Bosu is a founding solicitor of Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU). Jamila leads ATLEU’s compensation legal team and specialises in employment and discrimination law and representing survivors of trafficking and slavery in compensation claims against their trafficker or those who have benefitted from their exploitation.

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25 - The Litigation Podcast Shorts with Michael Beloff KC: Part 4

Listen in to this episode of The Litigation Podcast Shorts, as Michael Beloff KC recounts his final case: the McCloud Appeal. In this significant case, the Employment Appeal Tribunal dismissed the Lord Chancellor’s appeal against the Tribunal’s decision which found that the new judicial pension scheme unlawfully discriminated against younger judges. Michael represented six of the judges who successfully challenged this discrimination. He concludes this episode by sharing invaluable insights and practical advice, drawing on decades of experience in the field. More about Michael’s life and career can be found in his memoir, MJBQC: A Life Within and Without the Law.

24 - The Litigation Podcast Shorts with Michael Beloff KC: Part 3

Join Michael Beloff KC, widely regarded as the ‘The Godfather of Sports Law’, in this episode of The Litigation Podcast Shorts. Michael shares fascinating insights and anecdotes from his remarkable career as a barrister specialising in sports disputes. Look out for the fourth and final instalment in Michael’s Litigation Podcast Shorts series, where he discusses his final case and offers invaluable insights and practical advice on life and practice as a barrister. More about Michael’s life and career can be found in his memoir, MJBQC: A Life Within and Without the Law.

23 - The Litigation Podcast Shorts with Michael Beloff KC: Part 2

Welcome to this episode of The Litigation Podcast Shorts, as Michael Beloff KC discusses his experiences in defamation law. Drawing on a quintet of high-profile libel cases, Michael offers a rare perspective on this fascinating area. Join us next time, when Michael, widely regarded as the ‘Godfather of Sports Law’, delivers his unique insight into sports law. More about Michael’s life and career can be found in his memoir, MJBQC: A Life Within and Without the Law.

22 - Commercial Breakfast Briefing October 2024 with Andrew George KC, Robert Weekes KC, Leona Powell, Luka Krsljanin, Daniel Cashman and Carmine Conte

Blackstone Chambers’ Commercial Breakfast Briefing returns with an in-depth look at Commercial Remedies, beginning with some ground-breaking recent developments in the law and practice relating to freezing injunctions. After some icebreakers from Andrew George KC in the Chair, Luka Krsljanin analyses the important guidance on showing a real-risk of dissipation provided in Canada Inc v Sovereign Holdings. Carmine Conte provides reflections on “full and frank” disclosures, while Leona Powell reviews “on-notice” freezing injunctions and other less common scenarios. The “Case of the Quarter” slot is back by popular demand, as Robert Weekes KC and Daniel Cashman provide summaries of recent cases.

21 - The Litigation Podcast Shorts with Michael Beloff KC: Part 1

Join Michael Beloff KC in the first episode of The Litigation Podcast Shorts, as he delves into one of his most memorable legal experiences: the Marshall cases. Michael successfully argued before the European Court of Justice, leading to a significant ruling upholding a complaint of discrimination and sparking a secondary case. Stay tuned for the next episode in this series, where Michael will share his insights into the world of defamation law. More about Michael’s life and career can be found in his memoir, MJBQC: A Life Within and Without the Law.

20 - Introducing One-Drum Foundation and our new podcast music

In this special episode of the Litigation Podcast we hear from Abass Dodoo, master Ghanaian drummer and founder of One-Drum Foundation, in conversation with Ajay Ratan, Blackstone barrister and saxophonist in Abass’ band. Their wide-ranging discussion covers the creative process behind our new podcast music, the fascinating oral tradition by which Abass learned the drums growing up in Ghana, his pioneering work with One-Drum Foundation, and the many benefits of playing the drums (including Ajay’s experience of its peculiar benefits for lawyers!). You can see Abass and Ajay performing live on stage together in a recent video here. One-Drum Foundation is a UK-registered charity made up of a collective of London-based African master drummers, dancers, musicians and performers emanating from the diversity of Africa’s rich traditions. Its charitable purpose is to advance the education of the public in the arts, history and culture of African music, in particular, but not exclusively, through the provision of educational workshops and performances. For more information on the work of the One Drum Foundation, and links to donate, please see here. Today also marks the band’s release of ‘Kpanlogo’, recorded on board a floating studio on the Thames in the circumstances Abass and Ajay describe on the podcast. You can see the newly-released video for that here.

19 - Public Law Conference 2024: Part 3 with Ivan Hare KC, Stephanie Palmer and Isabel Buchanan

Tune in to the most recent episode of The Litigation Podcast, in which Ivan Hare KC presents recorded highlights from the 2024 Public Law Conference. The panel discussions address the latest developments in recent public law cases. Ivan Hare KC explores proportionality under the HRA: is it in the Act or on the facts? Stephanie Palmer discusses the recent climate change cases in the European Court of Human Rights. Isabel Buchanan gives a brief reflection on the European Convention as it nears its 75th birthday. If you haven’t already, listen to Part 1 with Tom Hickman KC, James Segan KC and Hanif Mussa KC and Part 2 with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Tom Leary, George Molyneaux and Warren Fitt!

18 - Public Law Conference 2024: Part 2 with Jeffrey Jowell KC, Ivan Hare KC, Tom Leary, George Molyneaux and Warren Fitt

Tune in to the most recent episode of The Litigation Podcast, in which Ivan Hare KC presents recorded highlights from the 2024 Public Law Conference. The panel discussions address the latest developments in recent public law cases. Tom Leary explores interim remedies in Judicial Review. George Molyneaux examines the duty of candour, with particular focus on recent cases. Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC and Warren Fitt discuss the UK’s relationship with the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. Stay tuned for the third and final instalment in this series, with Ivan Hare KC, Stephanie Palmer & Isabel Buchanan! If you haven’t already, listen to Part 1 with Tom Hickman KC, James Segan KC and Hanif Mussa KC.

17 - Public Law Conference 2024: Part 1 with Ivan Hare KC, Tom Hickman KC, James Segan KC & Hanif Mussa KC

Tune in to the most recent episode of The Litigation Podcast, in which Ivan Hare KC presents recorded highlights from the 2024 Public Law Conference. The panel discussions address the latest developments in recent public law cases. James Segan KC examines the standard of review in commercial Judicial Review. Hanif Mussa KC discusses developments in recent Supreme Court cases on convention rights. Tom Hickman KC discusses the future of Judicial Review. Stay tuned for Part 2 with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Tom Leary, George Molyneaux & Warren Fitt and Part 3 with Ivan Hare KC, Stephanie Palmer & Isabel Buchanan!

16 - Commercial Breakfast Briefing May 2024 with Andrew George KC, Leona Powell, Simon Pritchard, David Lowe and Tom Mountford

Do you love limitation? Does the very idea of mandatory time limits make you stop in your tracks and smile? If so, tune in to this episode of the Blackstone Chambers Litigation Podcast as Andrew George KC presents recorded highlights from the most recent Commercial Breakfast Briefing. First, Leona Powell takes a look at the Supreme Court’s important recent decision in Canada Square Operations Ltd. v Potter on the proper construction of s32 of the Limitation Act. David Lowe and Simon Pritchard then bring us some very recent tales from the frontline while Tom Mountford takes a survey of all other recent developments in limitation.