Kids Law

What does the Lord Chancellor actually do? Who makes sure judges can make decisions independently? Why are courts taking so long to hear cases? And should children as young as 10 be held criminally responsible for their actions?
In this episode Alma-Constance and Lucinda speak to Sir Robert Buckland KC, former Lord Chancellor, Justice Secretary, Solicitor General and criminal barrister, about one of the oldest and most important roles in the British constitution.
They discuss
·       why laws often take years to pass through Parliament
·       he believes trial by jury should be protected
·       how artificial intelligence could help reduce court delays
·       why laws often take a long time to pass through Parliament
The conversation also explores issues affecting young people, 
·       including the age of criminal responsibility
·       modern slavery involving children  
·       Votes at 16 and understanding democracy
·       Smartphones, smoking and new laws
Sir Robert shares memories of his own childhood, discusses his new podcast Hidden Wiring, and offers inspiring advice for anyone interested in a career in law.
Kids Law is a fascinating introduction to law, politics and justice for young people, families and teachers alike.
Resources
Robert Buckland - Wikipedia
Robert Buckland website
Instagram
The Church Commissioners
Office of the Lord Chancellor
Age of Criminal Responsibility E&W CPS
Voting age of 16 House of Commons Library 
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

Who makes the rules in space—and what happens when things go wrong?
Did you know there are more than 11,000 satellites orbiting Earth—and no traffic lights in space? From falling space debris to future cities on the Moon, this episode explores how laws work beyond Earth with leading international space lawyer Joanne Wheeler.
Together, we explore:
• How space law began—and why it was created
• What happens if space debris falls back to Earth
• The growing issue of space sustainability and debris
• Whether countries and companies can mine the Moon
• What life (and laws) might look like on Mars
Joanne also shares how she became a space lawyer—and why there are exciting career opportunities for young people interested in space.
If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and wondered who’s in charge up there this episode is for you!
Guest: Joanne Wheeler, MBE, Managing Partner at Alden Legal and international expert in space law. Joanne advises governments and companies on satellite launches, space regulation, and sustainability—and is helping shape the future of life beyond Earth. 
Resources
The National Space Centre
National Space Academy
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Royal Astronomical Society 
Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS)
UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS)
Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
Need help or advice?
Call Childline: 0800 1111 (UK, free and confidential)
Visit: www.childline.org.uk
Kids Law is a podcast helping young people understand how the law affects their everyday lives—from school rules to big global issues like human rights and space exploration.
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

Why does funding legal advice matter and how law affects everyone in society and why delays in courts and overcrowded prisons are becoming a serious problem.  Alma-Constance and Lucinda explore what’s happening inside the UK’s justice system with Richard Atkinson, criminal defence solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience and the 180th President of the Law Society of England and Wales. 
In this episode we discuss
Why criminal trials are now scheduled  four years into the future, what prison overcrowding means for justice
Why legal aid is such an important public service
How early legal advice can prevent problems in areas like housing and  family life
Whether the age of criminal responsibility should be raised
The importance of investing in courts, lawyers and modern technology
Richard also shares a powerful story from his career defending children and young people and that when he was 10 years old he wanted to be an RAF pilot and fly fast jets!
Together we discuss how the justice system works, why funding matters, and how law affects everyone in society — even if we don’t think about it every day.
As always, Kids Law helps young people understand how laws affect them — and how they can shape the future.
If you have worries or need support:
Childline: 0800 1111 (free confidential advice for under 18)
Visit: www.kidslaw.info
Please subscribe, rate and share the podcast — and keep your brilliant questions coming.
Resources
Richard Atkinson LinkedIn
Richard Atkinson with Law Society Gazette
The Law Society
Tuckers Solicitors
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

Should the Parthenon (often called the “Elgin”) Marbles be returned to Greece? In this episode of Kids Law, Alma-Constance and Lucinda explore one of the biggest cultural and legal debates in the UK. The ancient sculptures were taken from the Parthenon temple in Athens over 200 years ago and are now displayed in the British Museum. Some people believe they were legally acquired. Others argue they should be reunited with the rest of the temple in Greece. So what does the law say? And can the law change?
We’re joined by solicitor Mark Stephens CBE, consultant at Howard Kennedy and a long-time campaigner for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles. Mark explains:
How Museum laws developed over time
Why national museums in the UK currently cannot return objects, even if they want to
Why some countries say cultural objects are more than “museum pieces” — they are part of identity
What “provenance checking” means and why it matters today
Whether returning objects would empty museums — or make them fairer
We also explore:
Why learning from the past isn’t the same as judging it
Whether the age of criminal responsibility (currently 10 in England and Wales) is too young
Why lowering the voting age to 16 could strengthen democracy
How the law evolves as society grows up
Mark shares his belief that the law is strongest when it protects the smallest voices — and that asking questions is often where change begins.
When he was 10, Mark says he was very curious, asked a lot of questions and cared about fairness a lot.
As always, Kids Law helps young people understand how laws affect them — and how they can shape the future.
If you have worries or need support:
Childline: 0800 1111 (free confidential advice for under 18)
Visit: www.kidslaw.info
Please subscribe, rate and share the podcast — and keep your brilliant questions coming.
 References
https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/contested-objects-collection
https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/time-to-rethink-our-museums-and-return-stolen-goods-says-high-profile-lawyer/5110128.article
The British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles
https://www.parthenonuk.com/component/tags/tag/mark-stephens-cbe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Stephens_(solicitor) 
The Art Newspaper
Howard Kennedy
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!

This episode is a listen back over the past 5 years since we launched the podcast. 
If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info  or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 
Please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with your friends. 
See you soon in the next episode!