Our fortnightly podcast is your chance to get regular advice and updates from our experts and special guests, across a wide range of legal and financial topics.
We’ll share guidance on the topics that matter to you, including the latest legal changes, financial news, and in-depth market insight. With a different focus every time, there’s something interesting in each episode for people from all walks of life.
Scroll down for more info on the topics and guests for each episode, and links to the podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.
Episode 25: What’s on the Horizon for the Rural Economy
Around 12 million people live and work in the UK’s rural areas, contributing around £400 billion to the economy.
But the last 12 months have seen its desirability increase considerably. Purchase and rental markets have boomed – thanks to home working – and global travel restrictions have led to an increase in domestic holidays. But challenges remain for landowners in the form of Brexit and climate change.
Join our host James Pavey, environmental and planning expert Claire Petricca‑Riding, and Ed Mansel Lewis, Head of the Vineyard Group and a Director in Strutt & Parker’s rural team - listen now on Podbean.
Episode 24: Why Holiday Pay is Still Such a Big Issue for Business
The Working Time Regulations say that a worker must receive a week's pay for a week’s holiday.
But the concept of a week’s pay is set out in a number of pieces of legislation that weren’t created with holiday pay in mind, and so holiday pay remains a big issue for businesses.
Employment experts Joanne Moseley and Glenn Hayes discuss important topics relating to holiday pay, including:
- How much holiday workers are entitled to receive
- Why holiday pay is still such a big issue for business
- Workers claiming underpaid holiday
- The impact of Brexit on holiday pay rules.
Our latest podcast will help you as an employer or HR professional make sure your organisation is following holiday pay guidance - listen now on Podbean, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Learn more about how our employment law solicitors can help your business
Episode 23: Foreign Direct Investment and the UK Economy
Around £1.5 trillion of inward investment was held in the UK in 2019, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures. Attracting more foreign direct investment is vital for developing the UK's infrastructure, creating job opportunities and raising productivity.
But activity's been heavily impacted by Brexit and COVID-19. Join our host Rob Cowling, international expert Bryan Bletso and Daniel Casares-Lauritsen, Chief Business Development Officer at First Law International, as they discuss the findings of our April 2021 UK Powerhouse report.
Listen now on Podbean
Episode 22: Supporting Trans Employees
"In 1972 British Airways had a female pilot, but they didn’t know it and neither did I."
These are the words of retired pilot and Chair of the diversity charity GIRES Cat Burton, who gave an amazing insight into being a trans employee in our latest podcast.
Alongside employment expert Helen Dyke, they discuss how employers can support trans employees, covering important topics like:
- Practical steps for employers
- The Equality Act, gender re-assignment and gender recognition certificates
- Ensuring your policies are trans-inclusive
- Trans-specific diversity training
- Consulting your staff
- Dress codes, bathroom access, pronouns, and more.
It’s estimated there are approximately 600,000 trans and non-binary people in Britain. Many employers are keen to be supportive, but are unsure how best to do so.
The podcast will help you as an employer or HR professional make sure your organisation is a diverse and trans-inclusive workplace.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify.
Learn more about how our employment solicitors can help with equality, diversity and discrimination issues in your organisation.
Episode 21: The Life-changing Impact of a Serious Injury
Our latest podcast features two clients currently recovering from life-changing brain and spinal injuries. They talk candidly about the challenges they’ve faced, the progress they’ve made and the difference the right type of support, medical care and rehabilitation can make.
Irwin Mitchell lawyers Stacy Clements and Jack Sales are joined by their clients Rosie Mayes and Joe Watts. Rosie is tetraplegic after a road traffic collision in 2009 left her with a severe spinal cord injury. Joe suffered a brain injury while working as a professional stuntman on Fast & Furious 9 in 2019.
A theme throughout the podcast is the importance of rehabilitation, and Rebecca Bancroft, a senior physiotherapist and clinical manager at More Rehab completes our guest list. Rebecca shares her expert view and talks about her friendship with Rosie, who she’s supported since her injury.
Together, we reflect on the early days after an injury, the impact of lockdown and how to cope with change and stay positive.
Listen now on Podbean, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Learn more about how we can help if you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury
Episode 20: Cladding – A Way Forward
The Grenfell Tower disaster changed the landscape of the housing market as we know it. Four years on, there’s still a lot of uncertainty across the industry on how to resolve the issues we face.
Partner and Head of Residential Property Jeremy Raj hosts our latest podcast, which looks at:
- Blights on flats
- Service charge consultations
- RICS guidance and EWS1 forms
- The Fire Safety Bill and Fire Risk Assessments
- The role of a Building Safety Manager
- Is commonhold the solution?
Jeremy is joined by Chris Baker, who heads up our Leasehold Enfranchisement and Residential Management teams. Their guest is Julia Webb, group building surveyor at Dorrington PLC and vice chair of the British Property Federation’s Building Safety sounding Board.
The podcast draws on our ten-point plan on how the industry should move forward from the cladding crisis, featured in our exclusive cladding report.
Listen now on Podbean, Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Episode 19: Asbestos – the Past, Present and the Future
During Asbestos Awareness Week, Rosemary Giles hosts our latest podcast to look at:
- The dangers associated with asbestos
- Why people still use asbestos around the world
- Preventative measures we can take until we find a cure
- Banning mining and manufacturing asbestos, and enforcing existing laws
- The landmark legal cases that has brought about positive change.
Our guests this week are Kate Hill, Adrian Budgen and Greg Byrne.
Kate is a senior research fellow and National Institute for Health research adviser at Leeds Institute of Health Sciences and a trustee of the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.
Adrian Budgen is the asbestos-related disease solicitor who supported June in her landmark legal case 25 years ago, and Greg Byrne is a director of RB Asbestos Consultants.
Listen now on Podbean, Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Episode 18: The Changing Consumer - How COVID-19 Has Changed Shopping Habits
The consumer sector is vital to the health of the UK economy. But it’s been severely impacted by COVID-19.
Join our consumer sector experts Rob Coleridge and Alex Newman, along with Simon Preece, co-founder of sensecheck.com and change agent & director of growth at Bigger & Better Things, as they discuss:
- Changing consumer behaviour - 61% of us have changes stores, brands or the way we shop
- Pressures for the UK high street and the demise of household names like Debenhams, Burton, and Topshop
- The need for continued disruption post-lockdown due to Brexit-related import and export disruption.
Listen to the podcast now on Podbean and read our full The Changing Consumer report.
Episode 17: IR35 - Are you ready for the changes?
IR35 tax legislation rules for off-payroll workers are changing from Tuesday 6 April. But how will this impact your business? And what steps do you need to take to avoid falling foul of the new rules?
In this episode, our employment law experts Glenn Hayes and Padma Tadi, with tax specialist Ian Goodwin of Mazars, discuss the changes and the actions businesses need to take.
Listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Episode 16: Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs as the Schools Open Again
As schools open their doors again up and down the country, it marks the start of another period of uncertainty for children with special educational needs and the parents, carers and charities that support them.
Just days away from the anniversary of the first national lockdown, our latest podcast considers the impact of COVID-19, social distancing and home schooling on the children who rely on structure, routine and extra support. We also discuss Education, Health and Care plans and why these legal documents have never been more important.
Listen now on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify
Episode 15: Key budget highlights explained
Our host and residential property expert Jeremy Raj explores the main highlights of the Budget announcement, and how it could affect you.
Jeremy is joined by our very own experts, Ashley Hill from our Tax, Trusts and Estates team, Financial Planning expert Jason Mountford, and Claire Petricca-Riding, Head of Planning and Environment, to look closely at the potential impact for our clients.
We'll focus on:
- The updates to personal taxes, including Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax, and the after-effect it will have on Inheritance Tax and financial planning
- How the Stamp Duty extension and Mortgage guarantee will influence the housing sector
- The green agenda and environmental adjustments.
Listen now on Podbean
Episode 14: How To Find Love in Lockdown, and How To Protect Yourself When You Do
Our host and family law expert Zahra Pabani explores how to find love in lockdown, and how to protect yourself when you do.
Join Zahra as she chats with Rachel Maclynn, founder of exclusive matchmaking agency the Vida Consultancy, about how she works with clients to help build connections and ultimately make love matches.
Zahra is also joined by Annabel Bosman, Head of Relationship Management for the Royal Bank of Canada, who's sharing her experiences of how her clients deal with new love and protecting their wealth.
We'll focus on:
- The psychology of matchmaking, and how to help clients find love - particularly during lockdown
- How to protect your wealth and investments when embarking on a new relationship
- Legal wealth protection tools such as Living Together Agreements and pre- and post-nuptial agreements.
Listen now on Podbean, Apple Podcasts or Spotify and read more about how our family law team can help you.
Episode 13: Cervical Cancer - Prevention, the Cure and COVID-19
Every year around 850 lives are lost to cervical cancer in the UK and it’s the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Yet it’s a preventable and curable disease if detected and treated early.
During cervical cancer prevention week, we talk about the importance of early diagnosis and regular screening and consider the impact COVID-19 is having on this.
Joining our host, Emma Rush, is fellow medical negligence solicitor Mark Cawley are two very special guests. Professor Jean V. McHale from Birmingham University researches and writes in the area of health care law and is the Director of the Centre for Health Law, Science and Policy at Birmingham Law School.
She is joined by Robert Hammond, Consultant Gynaecologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. Robert runs a practice which specialises in pelvic surgery and the management of gynaecological cancers and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Listen now on Podbean to find out more about the potential symptoms to look out for, the treatment currently available and why letters sent out to women at risk can cause unnecessary worry, which is amplified by the ongoing pandemic.
Learn more about how we can help if you or a loved one has suffered due to a cervical cancer misdiagnosis
Episode 12: Brexit - Managing the Impact on Supply Chains
The Brexit deal will change how your company deals with employees, data and more, but there’s one key issue in particular to address.
You need to understand how the deal affects overseas trade and your supply chain, and our latest podcast will help you do this.
This exclusive Brexit episode of our podcast features our experts in conversation with Andrew Baxter of transport and logistics company Europa Worldwide. The Irwin Mitchell hosts are Vicky Brackett, CEO of Business Legal Services, and Bruce Macmillan, General Counsel.
Listen now on Podbean to learn how Europa Worldwide prepared their business for Brexit, and get up-to-the-minute legal advice on protecting your trading relationships.
See our Brexit hub for more insights from our experts
Episode 11: Homelessness and food banks - the impact of COVID19 and how we can help
Having food on the table and a roof over our heads are basic human rights, but many in the UK struggle for these simple necessities.
We're supporting 25 homelessness charities and food banks this winter and wanted to learn more about their work and what we can do to help.
To understand more about homelessness and food poverty, you need to speak to the people who work tirelessly day in, day out to drive positive change.
With this in mind, we invited some of our charity partners to join us for a special edition of our Irwin Mitchell podcast:
- Patsy Davies, Assistant Project Manager at Manchester Foodbank
- Ben Richardson, Charity Director at Caring in Bristol
- Ian Wilkins, Fundraising and Relationships Manager at Crawley Open House.
Hosting the podcast is Margaret Ryan, a trustee of the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation.
Their discussion covers the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges ahead, and what we can all do to make a real difference. In particular, our guests discuss how we could see unprecedented numbers experiencing homelessness and using foodbanks in 2021, and how to prevent this.
Thanks to the insight of our special guests, the podcast delivers an honest, educational and emotive discussion. It’s full of helpful advice, heart-warming stories and cautionary tales.
Listen to this podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or Spotify. You can also read more about what we've learned from the charities we support in our Homelessness and Foodbanks report
Episode 10: Road Safety Week
According to our partners Brake, the national road safety charity, someone is injured on a UK road every four minutes. During Road Safety Week, our latest podcast reflects on the often life-changing impact of a road traffic collision and considers how they can be prevented as the dark nights draw in and the winter weather arrives.
We also discuss the current lockdown, the increase in cycling and the worrying trend that saw police report a 71% spike in speeding during the previous national shut down.
Our host Peter Lorence is joined by Michael Anderson, a client of ours who suffered a bleed on the brain and had to have his left leg amputated after he was hit by a car going too fast in dangerous conditions.
Joining Michael is traffic sergeant Paul Cording from the North Yorkshire police force. Paul has years of experience of road traffic policing and has had to attend far too many fatal incidents while doing his job.
Finally, our paralegal Phil King, talks about his current role and his previous one, where he served with Northumbria Police for over 33 years, as a family liaison coordinator and lead investigator into serious traffic incidents.
Listen to this podcast now on Podbean.
Episode 9: Challenges of Socially Distanced Rehabilitation
The COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures that followed have changed the way rehabilitation is delivered forever. As the UK enters lockdown again, our latest podcast looks at the positive and negative impact of virtual support and considers what this will mean in the future.
Our host Deirdre Healy is joined by Jennifer Appleby, a client liaison manager at Irwin Mitchell and Jackie Dean, a clinical director at N-able, a rehabilitation centre in Birkenhead.
In this podcast we focus on:
- The long-term effects of delivering rehabilitation through virtual platforms and how it differs from face-to-face appointments
- The impact of our clients mental health as a result of the pandemic and the risk of this having a long-lasting impact on their rehabilitation
- How virtual appointments let everyone from occupational therapists to physio's to client liaison managers get together at the same time.
Listen to our podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or Spotify.
Episode 8: Life as a Trainee Solicitor
A special edition of our podcast for those who're considering a career in law and want to know more about what life is like as a trainee solicitor.
Training Principal and partner Emma Rush is joined by a series of trainees to discuss the role of a trainee solicitor, our DNA, and the hot topic of technology in law.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or Spotify.
Episode 7: The Impact of Divorce in Later Life
Leaving a marriage in later life, whether through divorce or separation, isn't a step that people take lightly. But it's something we're seeing more of with every year that passes.
Our latest podcast focusses on the emotional, financial and legal issues that come with separating in later life, and how those affected can protect themselves.
This week’s host is Zahra Pabani, a Partner in our family law team. She’s joined by fellow family lawyer Sarah Balfour, tax trust and estates specialist Emma McCann, and guest Maggie Cork. Maggie is a psychologist and director of Maggie Cork and Associates, which provides consultancy and coaching in health and social care, alongside medico-legal and clinical services.
In this podcast we focus on:
- The emotional effect and impact on individuals in later life when going through a divorce
- The legal options and financial issues that require careful consideration
- The steps individuals can do to protect themselves emotionally, financially and legally.
Listen to our podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or Spotify.
Episode 6: The Life-Changing Impact of Cancer
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is usually associated with asbestos exposure and every year 2,500 people sadly lose their lives to this condition.
In our latest podcast, Joanne Jefferies and Ian Bailey, asbestos-related disease claims specialists, take an in-depth look at the terminal illness with guests Mick May and Liz Darlison.
Mick is an Irwin Mitchell client who has published his incredible story of survival from mesothelioma in his brand new book, Cancer & Pisces. Liz is Head of Services at Mesothelioma UK, a charity that we're proud to have supported since its launch in 2004.
In this podcast we focus on:
- The life-changing impact of mesothelioma and why raising awareness is so important
- What made Mick write such an uplifting book and some of the honest, funny and emotional stories that make it such a fascinating read
- The work Mesothelioma UK does to help people with the illness on a daily basis and how we help our clients protect what matters most.
Listen to our podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean or Overcast.
Read more about making a mesothelioma compensation claim
Episode 5: It's Time to Talk About Sepsis
For World Sepsis Day 2020, we invited two very special guests onto our latest podcast to take an in-depth look at the illness, the warning signs and why raising awareness has never been more important due to COVID-19.
Our host Sarah Coles, a medical negligence expert, is joined by Ron Daniels, the founder of UK Sepsis Trust and an ICU consultant and Andrea, a client of ours who lost both her legs after delayed sepsis treatment. In this podcast we focus on:
- What exactly sepsis is and the impact it’s had on our clients and thousands of people across the country
- The crucial role UK Sepsis Trust play in raising awareness and the challenges they face in doing this during a pandemic
- Why the World Health Organisation has called for global action on sepsis and what more we can all do.
Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify or Overcast.
Find out more about sepsis compensation claims or read Andrea's story in full
Episode 4: Back to School with Special Educational Needs
Children with special educational needs make up around 15% of all pupils in mainstream education. As schools reopen up and down the country, many of their parents have unanswered questions. Our latest podcast considers the issues that are causing families uncertainty as they deal with this ‘new normal’ as a result of coronavirus.
Our host Yogi Amin is joined by fellow public law solicitor Caroline Barrett, Louise Gillard, from disability charity Scope, and Jo van Berckel. Jo is the mother of Kit, an incredible young man with cerebral palsy who is one of the stars of our I Am Able campaign.
In this podcast we focus on:
- How children with a disability have found home schooling during lockdown and whether they’re ready to go back to the classroom
- Education, health and care plans – what they are, the difference they make and why they’re more important than ever before
- The crucial role of a teaching assistant and why social distancing could create a whole host of new challenges
Listen to our podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean or Overcast.
Read more about how our lawyers can help children access SEN services
Episode 3: Moving in Together: Traps, Pitfalls and Protection
Moving in together is a big step for many couples. The stamp duty holiday, introduced in June 2020, makes it easier for people to get on the property ladder.
In our latest podcast we take an in-depth look at the state of the housing market right now, the impact of lockdown and what you should consider before buying a property.
Jeremy Raj, our National Head of Residential Property, is joined in this podcast by:
- Deborah Levy from our Family Law team,
- Emma McCann from our Tax, Trusts & Estates team,
- Natasha Furman, Chartered Surveyor at Winkworth Estate & Letting Agents.
Listen now to find out about:
- The traps that many fall into and how you can protect yourself and your property
- The difference between being joint tenants or tenants in common, and why it matters
- The housing market during a pandemic and why planning for the unexpected is more important than ever before
- What exactly pre and post-nups are and why they can be so valuable
Listen to our podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean or Overcast.
Want to learn more buying a property? Visit our Conveyancing and Property section or contact a member of our team to find out how we can help.
Episode 2: Commercial Property in a Covid-19 World
In our latest podcast, we review the effects Covid-19 has had on the letting of commercial properties, and how the industry fares for individuals and businesses.
Danny Revitt and Lisa Stratford from our real estate team are joined by our special guest Dan Bayley, head of tenant representation at BNP Paribas. Together they discuss the issues faced by commercial landlords and tenants, investors, and employees.
We’ll look at:
- The tenant’s angle – what are your options when your cash flow stops due to the Government’s restrictions?
- The Code of Conduct published to encourage co-operation between landlords and tenants
- Are landlords seen as ‘bad guys’, and if so, should we have sympathy for them?
Listen to our commercial property podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, or Overcast.
Want to learn more? Visit our Real Estate section or contact a member of our team to find out more about how we can help.
Episode 1: No-Fault Divorce - What the end to the ‘blame game’ means for couples
In June 2020, parliament passed a new law introducing no-fault divorce – the first time divorce law has changed in fifty years.
For our first episode, our family law specialists Zahra Pabani and Tara Smith discuss the announcement with Marcie Shaoul, founder and family coach at Rolling Stone Coaching.
We’ll reveal:
- The impact on family law as a whole
- What the end to the ‘blame game’ means for couples
- The benefits for families.
Listen to our no-fault divorce podcast now on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, or Overcast.
You can also download our No-Fault Divorce podcast as an mp3
Want to learn more? Read our no-fault divorce FAQs or contact our family law team to find out more about how we can help.
