Media and speaking

I’ve appeared on Sky News, Al Jazeera, BBC Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, Radio Ulster and World Service to talk about legal issues, and I’m always up for being on telly or radio – e-mail or Skype me if you need a legal expert.

My strengths are in constitutional law and judicial review, EU law and human rights (I teach the Human Rights Act to government lawyers). But I’ve also prosecuted and defended crime in the past, and I’ve represented employers and workers in employment and discrimination cases. I’ve defended the government in judicial reviews and in the European courts, I’ve advised ministers on the law, I’ve worked on bills and drafted legislation, and I’ve negotiated for the UK in Europe on the text of draft Directives and on the European Constitution. I think I’m good at explaining the law behind the headlines.

I offer an independent view, informed by my experience in government, and I pride myself on legal accuracy so if I don’t feel at home discussing a particular legal issue, I’ll let you know. To give you an idea, don’t ask me about wills, or selling houses. You can hear what I sound like by listening to one of the podcasts in the “Hear me” section down a bit on the far right; I do not sound like your stereotypical barrister. I work for hospital radio and got nominated for a Hospital Broadcasting Association award in 2011, so I’ve got some idea what I’m doing.

I’m available for speaking engagements too – I’ve spoken to audiences of 20 and 200, and am happy to talk about law, life as a lawyer in government or law on the web.