Sarah Ellis

Control and the Law Podcast

Government EN ↓ 5 episodes

Control and the Law cuts through the noise to expose the realities of coercive control, domestic abuse, and stalking - and the legal systems that too often fail to confront them. Each episode tackles the issues others avoid, shifting the Overton window and challenging the narratives that keep victims unheard and unseen. Bringing together legal insight and fearless questioning, this podcast shines a light on the gaps, injustices and uncomfortable truths that shape our response to abuse. It's designed for legal professionals who are curious about how we can respond better - and for victims who'v...

Author

Sarah Ellis

Episodes

Weaponised Justice: How the Family Courts are Used to Perpetuate Post Separation Abuse 18.04.2026 36:40

Up to 90% of women escaping an abusive relationship experience post separation abuse. This can take many forms including emotional, psychological, financial, physical and even sexual abuse. However, 'custody stalking', using the family courts to intrude upon the lives of protective parents by weaponising child arrangements, is an incredibly effective, and widespread, tactic of post separation abus...

The Price of Harm: When Domestic Abuse Defines a Relationship, Shouldn’t It Influence the Financial Outcome? 22.03.2026 41:37

Domestic abuse — and coercive control in particular — leaves deep, lasting scars. Yet in financial remedy proceedings, the threshold for proving misconduct remains so high that most victims never meet it. Case law has evolved away from the statute’s wording, and the courts’ reluctance to “rummage through the attic” of the marriage has become almost a mantra. But our understanding of coercive contr...

Part 2 - Unseen and Unheard? Navigating Domestic Abuse in Private Law Proceedings 17.02.2026 30:10

Are the family courts routinely ignoring or minimising allegations of domestic abuse? Join barrister, Sarah Ellis, Professor Jo Delahunty KC and Professor Rosemary Hunter KC (Hon) to discuss coercive control, whether allegations of domestic abuse should ever be treated as 'historic', how victims are treated in the court, how we can evidence domestic abuse better and whether the Pathfinder process...

Ep.2 Pt 1: Unseen and Unheard? Navigating Domestic Abuse in Private Law Proceedings 10.02.2026 33:32

In October 2025 the 'Everyday Business' report found allegations of domestic abuse are made in around three-quarters of private law cases. Yet, in only c. 4% of cases is there a finding of fact hearing. Prof. Jo Delahunty KC and Prof. Rosemary Hunter KC (Hon) join barrister, Sarah Ellis, to discuss the scale of the issue, the negative consequences of LASPO 2012 on legal representation and advice,...

Weaponised Justice: how civil courts are being used to stalk and harass victims 12.11.2025 44:51

Stalkers and controlling people are increasingly using the civil courts to continue their abuse and harassment of victims. Faced with little, if any, consequences for bringing vexatious and repeat claims we discuss the scale of the issue, who is affected and what can be done to help victims. Barrister, Sarah Ellis, is joined by the designate Victims' Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE and solicitor,...