The Legal Eagle Training Podcast

Adjournments sound procedural, but they can decide outcomes. In this episode, Clive and Colin unpack when adjournments should (and shouldn’t) be granted, how to prepare and argue them, and the traps that lead to exclusion of evidence, wasted costs, or even acquittals. They also cover special wrinkles: absent defendants, “part-heard” perils, motoring totters/exceptional hardship timing, Newton hear...

This episode takes a deep dive into the youth justice system - exploring how children and young people are treated differently to adults by the criminal law, and why practitioners often find the youth court one of the most challenging, yet rewarding environments in which to work. Hosts Clive Smith and Colin Beaumont share their experiences from decades of youth court advocacy, highlighting the imp...

This month’s episode tackles one of the most technical yet practical areas of criminal law - bail . From time limits to informal hearings and changes in circumstances, Clive Smith and Colin Beaumont explore why bail occupies “an entirely separate train carriage” in criminal practice, and why understanding its quirks is essential for every advocate. The discussion begins by contrasting bail with ot...

“You do not have to say anything…” – the familiar police caution opens this episode, but Colin Beaumont and Clive Smith unpack what those words really mean in practice, and how adverse inferences can transform the course of a trial. From the erosion of the absolute right to silence since the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 , through to pre-prepared statements, special warnings, and defe...

With significant changes proposed to the way judges and magistrates calculate credit for guilty pleas, this episode examines current practice, Court of Appeal guidance and potential reforms, with the practical realities faced by those advising clients at the coal face.   Retired solicitor (now barrister - non practising) Colin Beaumont and barrister Clive Smith explore the Sentencing Council’s Red...

With a staggering backlog of over 75,000 cases, this episode explores findings of the recently published Leveson Report - an Independent Review of the Criminal Courts.  From the necessity of increased funding to the implications of reclassifying offences, this episode is a comprehensive analysis that will leave you more informed about the current plans for change.  Whilst we will have to wait to s...

Could the notion of a "digital strip search" in sexual offence cases be more myth than reality? In this episode, we tackle the intricacies of digital disclosure, focusing on how unused material can tip the scales of justice. With technology, social media, and AI revolutionising the legal landscape, we dissect the nuances of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and its impact on both...

In the latest episode of the podcast we highlight criminal cases over the last 12 months from the King’s Bench Division, and their implications for legal practitioners. Our first case is a 2024 legal decision involving identification evidence in a case with a young man at a petrol station. We scrutinise the police officer's evidence, the timing of note-taking, and the absence of an identification...

What if the laws meant to keep our roads safe are actually criminalising responsible drivers?  Join us as we navigate the intricate world of alcohol and drug-related driving laws, dissecting the history and implications of the Road Traffic Act of 1988 and the pivotal introduction of Section 5A in 2015. This episode questions whether the rigid legal standards genuinely serve public safety or if the...

Can you imagine a world where a 30-month prison sentence results in only six months served? In the inaugural episode of The Legal Eagle Training podcast we explore the England & Wales sentencing structure. We'll dissect how the upcoming changes to early release policies and the home detention curfew scheme will reshape the way sentences are served, amidst the pressing issue of overcrowded pris...

Welcome to The Legal Eagle Training Podcast, we are your hosts, Colin Beaumont & Clive Smith. We are both barristers, with over 60 years of experience in criminal law behind them. Colin qualified as a barrister in 1982 and worked as a legal advisor for HMCTS for 12 years before re-qualifying as a solicitor and working for a major criminal firm as a partner and consultant for 20 years. Clive wa...