Cross-Examination in the Pistorius Trial
Joshua Rozenberg and guests evaluate the combative cross-examination techniques employed by prosecutor Gerrie Nel in the Oscar Pistorius trial.
The trial of South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius has attracted worldwide attention, not least for the way in which he has been cross-examined by prosecutor, Gerrie Nel. Would such a combative approach be as effective - or allowed - in British courts?
Joshua Rozenberg discusses the art of courtroom advocacy with vice-chair of the Advocacy Training Council Anesta Weekes QC, and senior treasury counsel Richard Whittam QC, who recently prosecuted the two men convicted of murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby.
Also: After the Court of Appeal says its concerned about holding a criminal trial in complete secrecy - something the CPS had hoped to do in an on-going terror trial - Law in Action speaks to Guy Vassall-Adams from Matrix Chambers, who's been involved in challenging closed hearings. Have the judges struck the right balance?
Law in Action also looks at the proposed 'Heroism Bill' designed to protect volunteers from being sued - will it really make a difference in terms of the law, or is its real purpose to change public perception?
And with just a year to go until the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, former Lord Chief Justice Igor Judge and Prof David Little of Georgetown University discuss why the charter is treated with greater reverence in the USA than it is in the United Kingdom.
CONTRIBUTORS
Anesta Weekes QC, vice-chair of the Advocacy Training Council
Richard Whittam QC, senior treasury counsel
Guy Vassall-Adams, Matrix Chambers
Dr Justin Davis Smith, executive director of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Zahra Nanji, Leigh Day solicitors
Prof Karen Yeung, King's College London
Igor Judge, Baron Judge PC QC, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
Prof David Little, Georgetown University
Producer: Keith Moore
Series Producer: Richard Fenton-Smith.
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Chapters
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Cross-Examination in the Pistorius Trial
Would Gerrie Nel鈥檚 combative style be as effective, or allowed, in British courts?
Duration: 09:43
Secret Trials
Why was the media banned from reporting the existence of a terror trial?
Duration: 03:36
The Proposed 'Heroism Bill'
Will it really make a difference to the law, or is it meant to change public perception?
Duration: 08:55
Magna Carta
Is the charter treated with greater reverence in the USA than in the United Kingdom?
Duration: 04:41
Broadcasts
- Tue 10 Jun 2014 16:00成人快手 Radio 4
- Thu 12 Jun 2014 20:00成人快手 Radio 4
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