ITSA’s Recommendations: Podcasts and Books for the Bar

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One of the questions we’re often asked is for recommendations for learning more about the Bar so we thought we’d group together the most recommended books and podcasts. Whilst we may not always have time for extra reading, podcasts are the perfect way to find time in an over-packed schedule whilst out for a walk/run/cycle, on the train or just doing practical laundry/house chores. These are recommendations that have been sent to us by a mixture of lawyers, students, and some that we have found useful ourselves. It is by no means an exhaustive list so if there is anything you would recommend adding to our list – please do get in touch with us, we’re always looking for extra suggestions.

Podcasts

Advocacy, Careers and Legal News

  • Talking Law https://talkinglaw.libsyn.com/
    “Presented by multi-award winning barrister Sally Penni MBE, Talking Law profiles leading figures in UK law as they discuss the highs and lows of their career plus the challenges and realities of the legal profession. From Women in the Law UK”

  • The Advocacy Podcast – Journeys to Excellence https://theadvocacypodcast.com/
    “The Advocacy Podcast covers wide-ranging topics in courtroom advocacy, from cross-examination and witness handling, to the soft-skills of advocacy, the neurology of trials and much more”
  • Get Legally Speaking with Hatti Suvari https://www.getlegallyspeaking.com/
    “Hosted by Hatti Suvari & featuring some of the top legal minds, Get Legally Speaking is changing the game by making law accessible to all. Join us every week as we speak to practising Barrister’s, QC’s and Judges on everything from divorce, and family law to employees’ rights, property law, consumer rights and much more.”

Specialist Areas of Law

Family Law

Civil, Public Law and Human Rights

  • Better Human https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/better-human-podcast/id1481010283
    “Can human rights make our societies better? This podcast explores the most important human rights issues of the day through engaging and accessible interviews with high-profile guests and straightforward guides to key concepts and key events. Presented by leading human rights lawyer Adam Wagner.”
  • Asymmetrical haircuts https://www.asymmetricalhaircuts.com/
    Journalists Janet Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg delve into the world of international justice. We get experts on to talk about their field and ask them what everybody else forgets to ask.

Criminal Law

  • Criminal Justice Natters http://www.dredjohnston.com/criminal-justice-natters“A new podcast hosted by Dr Ed Johnston. Ed is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of the West of England. His research interests are centred in Criminal Justice, procedure and fair trial rights.”

Barristers’ Chambers with their own podcasts

  • 4 New Square https://www.4newsquare.com/podcasts/
    “Welcome to our podcast, Analysis: Commercial Dispute Resolution and Life at the Bar, in which we will examine a wide range of current issues in dispute resolution including commercial fraud, construction, costs and litigation funding, disciplinary and regulatory issues, insurance, international arbitration and commercial disputes, professional liability and sports.”
  • The Matrix Law Pod – https://soundcloud.com/matrix-law
    “A podcast hosted by Matrix Chambers which addresses how law, courts and the rule of law are holding up in the UK and abroad.”
  • Kings chambers https://www.kingschambers.com/latest-news/kings-chambers-podcast/ “The Kings Chambers Podcast brings together specialist legal experts to discuss current developments across all aspects of law in the United Kingdom featuring conversations with barristers and guest speakers from public and private sectors.”
  • 7BR https://www.7br.co.uk/2020/07/7br-part-heard-a-series-of-legal-podcasts/“7BR is delighted to present our podcast series: “7BR Part-Heard”. These podcasts will give an insight into the broad range of work our members undertake .”
  • Brick Court https://www.brickcourt.co.uk/centenary/podcasts
    In celebration of Brick Court’s 100th birthday in 2021, we are proud to present this series of programmes featuring past and present members of chambers in conversation, discussing their experience and experiences – in practice, on the bench and in all sorts of other places that a career in law has taken them.
  • Keating Chambers https://www.keatingchambers.com/resources/podcasts/ “Keating Chambers: The Podcast is a new fortnightly podcast brought to you by barristers and staff from Keating Chambers. It features a combination of key case law updates, historical case reviews, interviews with legal experts and informal discussions of aspects of Chambers life.”
  • 36 Commercial – A view from the Bar https://36commercial.buzzsprout.com/
    Our “A view from the Bar” podcasts engage with our areas of expertise and get our members chatting about issues that they are passionate about.

Also do have a browse of this list of podcasts made by our very own Inner Temple Library https://www.listennotes.com/listen/lockdown-law-pods-4sNQD9g-hIB/?display=podcast

Books

  • The Path to Pupillage: A Guide for the Aspiring Barrister www.amazon.co.uk/Path-Pupillage-Guide-Aspiring-Barrister/dp/0414025741
    “This is the essential guide for anyone considering a career as a barrister, from the sixth former to those at the final stage of the Bar Vocational Course. This book considers each step of the route to pupillage, the final and most competitive stage of a barrister’s training, offering detailed advice on everything from choosing the Bar as a career to succeeding in pupillage interviews.”

Jade-Amanda Laporte