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!

Want to know how you can influence the decisions that shape your life?

Arthur Templeman-Lily at 17 years old is a children’s rights consultant from Wales, who works to ensure young people’s voices are heard in decisions that affect their lives. He tells Alma and Lucinda about his experience in children participating in shaping law and policy, and why Cardiff is a leader in children’s rights. Arthur explains how he became involved in children’s rights work and champion youth voices. We discuss:

· How he went about producing the children-led book, ‘Pause, Play, Fast Forward: The Journey of Children in Wales’

· how the book is being used in schools and youth settings

· why Wales became one of the first UK nations to criminalise smacking

· the reasons and importance of voting at 16 years old

· the age of criminal responsibility, comparing Wales with Scotland.

· advice for children who want to learn more about their rights or get involved.

When Arthur was 10, he really enjoyed history and loved writing fan fiction about the Lion King!

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!

Content Warning: This episode mentions domestic and sexual abuse, possession of weapons, and mental health difficulties in relation to behaviour that may lead to school exclusion.

Children as young as 10 can be held responsible for crimes – but they also have special rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In this episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda talk to Florence Cole, an education solicitor at Harrow Law Centre, about the laws around children’s education, why exclusions happen, and what can be done to protect young people.

Florence has many years' experience supporting children and families through exclusions, appeals, discrimination cases, and special educational needs issues. She explains:

· When parents can legally challenge a school or local authority decision

· Why exclusions can have devastating long-term effects

· How children’s backgrounds, trauma and unmet special needs can influence behaviour

· The “school-to-prison pipeline” and pupil referral units

· Practical tips for parents and carers facing exclusion hearings

· How the law (Equality Act 2010, Children & Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations) protects children with special educational needs

When Florence was 10, she loved spending time in nature and had an imaginary friend called Frieda.

References and Resources

• Harrow Law Centre
• Behaviour in schools: sanctions and exclusions
• Discriminatory exclusions
• School exclusion: a review on disproportionate exclusion of certain children
• School suspensions and permanent exclusions

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!

We hear in the news about people fleeing their homes to become asylum seekers or refugees, why is this? Alma and Lucinda talk to Lance Bartholomeusz from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to find out:

· The difference between refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants

· Why so many people around the world are forced to leave their homes

· What protections and rights refugees have under international law

· The role of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) around the world

· How refugee children are supported to go to school, stay safe, and build new lives

· The challenges people face when starting a new life in a different country

You’ll also hear real examples of the UNHCR’s work, from helping Palestinian families in neighbouring countries, to supporting Rohingya communities in Bangladesh, to protecting displaced people in Ukraine, and how Uganda supports Sudanese refugees in Africa.

When Lance was 10 he wanted to be a snake handler!

References and Resources

United Nations Refugee Agency

United Kingdom for UNHCR

Kate Blanchett on Statelessness

Patrick Eba UNHCR’s policy and legal expert ‘Why do refugees need protection?’

There are more stories at www.unhcr.org under news and stories. Here are the latest stories relating to children: News and stories | UNHCR

There were 8.4 million asylum-seekers awaiting decisions on their individual applications at the end of 2024, the highest number ever recorded, marking a 22 per cent increase from 6.9 million the previous year. See Global Trends | UNHCR

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!