Since hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran developed into armed conflict, one of the key points of contention has been access to the Strait of Hormuz. One of the world's most important shipping lanes, the channel – which is just 21 to 24 miles across at its narrowest point – separates Iran from Oman. It has been subject to closure, from the Iranians, and blockade, by the Americans, all of which makes it a fraught case study for the complex, yet important, world of maritime law. To talk us through everything from 17th century piracy to the Cod Wars of the 20th century, we're joined by James M. Turner KC, a noted expert in this area.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Returning this week after our Easter break, we find ourselves returning to the topic of assisted dying. Charlie has been one of the architects of an attempt to get assisted dying legalised in the UK, but after a long process and very public debate, the bill has been scuppered on his own turf in the House of Lords. How did this happen? What does it tell us about the intersection of morality and legislation? And where next for proponents of assisted death?

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On New Year's Day 2026, Sir James Munby, former President of the Family Division, died at the age of 77. Here, the Law & Disorder trio pay tribute to James and reflect on his long and storied career.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're returning to the ongoing crisis in Iran with Nicholas and Helena joined by Ken Roth, formerly the executive director of Human Rights Watch. Are the United States violating international law with their reprisals against Iran's nascent nuclear programme? Does Israel have a valid case for taking pre-emptive action against Tehran? And do the international courts have the legal teeth to ever take men like Trump, Netanyahu and Putin to task for their flagrant disregard for geopolitical norms?

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The crisis unfolding across Iran and the Gulf nations poses many questions. First amongst those is whether the United States and Israel were in breach of international law for their pre-emptive strikes on Tehran. To consider this – and place it in a historical context alongside the Caroline affair, the Suez Crisis and the Iraq War – the Law & Disorder assemble from around the globe.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're looking at the decision of the United States Supreme Court to go against President Trump in a ruling which contests his power to unilaterally set tariffs. The case could have significant financial consequences and is being heralded as a possible turning point for a court that's often seen as excessively political. But what was in the nitty-gritty of the judgment? And does it really suggest a change of approach from the conservative majority court? The Law & Disorder triplets are joined, this week, by David D. Cole, one of America's leading constitutional law scholars (and friend of the show) and Lord Robert Carnwath, who sat on the UK Supreme Court from 2012 to 2020.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In light of Hong Kong businessman and media tycoon Jimmy Lai being sentenced to 20 years in prison under China's National Security Law (a conviction for fraud was overturned after the recording of this episode), we wanted to return to the story of one of the great modern human rights injustices. Helena, Charlie and Nicholas discuss the plight of Jimmy Lai and his family, and whether British judges who continue to serve in Hong Kong are safeguarding other political prisoners or offering validity to a corrupt regime.

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: Nick Hilton.

Editor: Lulu Goad

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're talking about another subject that's been dominating headlines: the release of the Epstein files and the implication of Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in potential abuses of public office. The Law & Disorder trio gather to try and unpick the potential charges the two could face (the episode was recorded prior to Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest on February 19th) and what defence they might mount.

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: Nick Hilton.

Editor: Lulu Goad

Associate Producer: Ewan Cameron.

Music by Richard Strauss, arranged and performed by Anthony Willis & Brett Bailey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.