Full Comment

Most people know a convicted defendant can appeal a sentence. Far fewer realise that, in certain cases, the prosecution can also ask for a sentence to be increased. This episode explains how the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) Scheme operates, why the threshold is deliberately high, and why Parliament has chosen to expand the rights of victimsfrom 29 June 2026. It also explores a broader question. I...

Recent cases in England and Scotland have forced the criminal courts to confront a painful question: when a victim of domestic abuse takes their own life, can the abuser be held criminally responsible for the death? Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh examine the acquittals in the English cases of Ryan Wellings and Christopher Trybus, the Scottish culpable homicide conviction of Lee Milne,...

In this episode of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange travel to Barcelona for the European Criminal Bar Association Spring Conference and use the opportunity to speak to European criminal lawyers about issues affecting their criminal justice systems and why being a member of an association of lawyers such as the ECBA can have benefits beyond professional networking. Whose in...

In this episode, Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh discuss when conduct in grassroots football crosses the line into criminal behaviour. Drawing on Ed’s personal experience as a referee, they discuss and reflect on the realities of officiating from the National League downwards, where high emotions, differing interpretations of the rules, and the influence of social media can quickly esc...

In this episode of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange take a close look at the offence of coercive or controlling behaviour in its 10th anniversary, and consider whether the legislation has delivered on its intended purpose. Drawing on practical experience in these kinds of cases, they explore how the law is being applied, the evidential challenges it presents, and whether i...

In this episode of Full Comment , the Corker Binning Crime Team go global, unpacking the reality behind Interpol following the BBC documentary Wanted: The Interpol Files . From red notices and diffusions to data protection, human rights safeguards, and the real-world impact on individuals, this episode cuts through the myths and explains how Interpol really works. Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edw...

AI-generated deep fakes are becoming increasingly realistic, and the law is racing to catch up. In this episode of  Full Comment , Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh examine the growing use of AI to create non-consensual intimate images, prompted by the recent Grok controversy. They break down the UK’s new criminal offences covering the  requesting  and  creation  of AI-generated intimate...

In this episode of Full Comment, we explore the devastating consequences of a single act of violence and the powerful role restorative justice can play in the aftermath of tragedy. Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange discuss the case of James Hodgkinson, a 28-year-old trainee paramedic who died after an unprovoked punch outside a Nottingham bar in 2011, and the remarkable journey that foll...

Ever thought pouring leftover coffee down a drain could land you a £150 fine? Or that feeding a cat could technically be theft? In this episode of Knowledge Full Comment , Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh dive into some bizarre, obscure, and surprisingly real laws - from environmental offences to electric scooters, horse-drinking rules, and even Polish potatoes. Join us for legal curios...

When the BBC went undercover at Charing Cross Police Station, it exposed shocking racism, misogyny, and abuse of power. But beyond the headlines, what does this say about the culture of policing today, and whether real change is even possible? In this episode of Full Comment , criminal defence lawyers Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange unpack the fallout from the Panorama documentary, exp...

Expert evidence can make - or break - a case. In our latest podcast, Ed and Danielle discuss the duties, risks, and lessons every lawyer should know when working with expert witnesses.

Freshers’ Week beckons, and young adults making their way to university often experience a different kind of freedom, new friends and fun. But inevitably Freshers’ Week also sees a spike in arrests for alcohol related offences for public disorder, and other offences. Ed and Danielle dispel a few urban myths about what is legal and what isn’t, as well as the role taken by universities and law enfor...

In the season finale of  Full Comment , Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh tackle the mounting pressure on the UK’s criminal justice system. They begin with the Supreme Court’s recent decision in  Hayes & Palombo , a landmark case that casts a spotlight on judicial error and prompts wider questions about systemic failure. From there, they explore Sir Brian Leveson’s phase one recommen...

In episode 11 of Full Comment, we delve into the recent High Court judgment of Ayinde vs London Borough of Haringey, where generative AI was used in legal research resulting in fictitious legal citations, raising concerns about competence, supervision, and the future of how the legal profession engages with AI.  The discussion explores:  What went wrong in the submissions placed before the court H...

In Episode 10 of  Full Comment , Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange explore one of the UK’s most staggering recent miscarriages of justice: the case of Peter Sullivan, whose murder conviction was quashed in May 2025,  after 38 years in prison . Sullivan was convicted in 1987 of the murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindel. Four decades later, newly available DNA testing rendered his conviction...

In this episode of Full Comment , Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange explore how the deliberate act of felling the tree at Sycamore Gap led to national outrage and a criminal damage conviction carrying serious custodial implications. But is it just about a tree? How is this different to criminal damage to Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol, toppled and defaced, but the defendants were fou...

Adolescence - part two. Inside Incel Culture: Law, Youth, and Online Harm   What exactly is incel culture and how should the criminal justice system respond to it?   In the latest Full Comment episode, Partners Danielle Reece Greenhalgh and Edward Grange unpack the rise of incel ideology, its spread through social media algorithms, and the legal and ethical questions it raises - particularly when...

In this episode, the Corker Binning crime team dives into Netflix’s hit Adolescence , examining its portrayal of the criminal justice process for young suspects. Join hosts Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange , along with new Partner Henrietta Ronson , as they dissect Episode 1 of Adolsecence, following 13-year-old Jamie from a dramatic early morning arrest to a harrowing police interview....

In this episode of Full Comment , Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange dive into one of the most pervasive and quietly dangerous habits on our roads today: using mobile phones while driving. This episode unpacks the legal framework, the risks, and the social habits fuelling this offence. Edward, a seasoned defence lawyer with a surprisingly hardline view on the issue, shares why he believes...

The UK government is fast-tracking new criminal offences targeting the  creation  of sexually explicit deepfakes, regardless of whether they are shared. These proposals mark a major shift: no longer is the offence tied only to distribution but to the very  existence  of these AI-generated images. But will the law be enforceable? Can it strike the right balance between accountability, practicality,...

The rest of the UK has a complete ban on smacking, but there is a defence in England as 'reasonable chastisement’ for a low level assault. Ed and Danielle discuss the arguments for and against a ban across the whole of the UK.

On 20 August 2023, on what should have been one of the most joyous occasions of her life, the Spanish football player Jenni Hermoso, when collecting her World Cup winners medal, was greeted by Luis Ruibiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, with a kiss on the lips.  On 20 February 2025 he was convicted of sexually assaulting Ms Hermoso, the Madrid court rejecting his defence th...

In this episode of Full Comment , Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh delve into the complexities of sentencing in murder cases. They discuss the rise of televised sentencing and whether it enhances public understanding or distorts perceptions of justice. The conversation also covers the use of whole life orders, and the evolving legal framework governing sentencing in murder cases. With r...

In this first episode, we explore the legal implications of Meta’s smart glasses, from potential privacy breaches in public spaces to the risks of livestreaming in more private settings. We also examine the growing use of deepfake technology, the intersection of AI and covert filming, and the legal and ethical concerns surrounding ‘fact-checking’ individuals without their knowledge.