Rephonic
Artwork for Double Jeopardy

Double Jeopardy - UK Law and Politics

Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC
Legal Aid
Criminal Justice System
Law Society
Royal Commission
Prison Overcrowding
Public Funding
Solicitor Profession
Post Office Horizon Scandal
Human Rights Law
Paris Agreement
Climate Change Act 2008
Client Earth
Friends Of the Earth
Swiss Government
European Court Of Human Rights
Prison Reform
Rwanda
Supreme Court
Austerity
Trans Rights

Covering the critical intersections of law and politics in the UK with expert commentary on high-profile legal cases, political controversies, prisons and sentencing, human rights law, current political events and the shifting landscape of justice and democracy. With in-depth discussions and influential guests, Double Jeopardy is the podcast that uncovers the forces shaping Britain’s legal and pol... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes143Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Double Jeopardy

Latest Episodes

On 19th March 2026 the Chief Inspector of Prisons issued an Urgent Notification placing Woodhill Prison into special measures (hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_reports/hmp-woodhill-urgent-notification-2/).

On the same day he pu... more

The 2026 US/Israel war against Iran is a rapidly evolving, multi-front war.  What started as a massive joint air campaign (Operation Epic Fury) and involved the execution of Ayatollah Ali Khameini and some 40 other senior Iranian leaders and key mili... more

With world events continuing to dominate the domestic news agenda, Ken Macdonald KC and Tim Owen KC respond to a range of listeners’ questions generated by recent episodes.

What explains the huge gap which has emerged between the broad consensus amo... more

Undaunted by near unanimous opposition from the legal profession, the Government last week published the Courts and Tribunals Bill which, if enacted, will mean that roughly half of cases currently tried by juries will be decided either by magistrates... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Professor Jeremy Horder
Professor of Criminal Law and former head of Department at the London School of Economics.
London School of Economics
Episode: What is Misconduct in Public Office? And the US Supreme Court Bites Back
Gavin Miller
Noted media lawyer with extensive experience in high-profile legal cases
Episode: SLAPPS, Filibustering Death, and Juries
Cassia Rowland
Senior Researcher in the Public Services Team at the Institute for Government, focusing on criminal justice issues.
Institute for Government
Episode: Why The Lammy Jury Reforms Won’t Work
Devika Hovell
Professor of Public International Law at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
Episode: Venezuela, Greenland and The Donroe Doctrine: Power without Law
Joshua Rozenberg
Leading legal commentator and author
Episode: UK Law and Politics 2025-2026: What’s Happened and What’s Coming Next
Simon Moore
Queen's Counsel and former Chief Crown Prosecutor in New Zealand
New Zealand Criminal Justice System
Episode: Living in the Southern Ocean: Part 1- Blazing a Trail for Criminal Justice Reform
Riel Karmy-Jones KC
Current chair of the Criminal Bar Association
Criminal Bar Association
Episode: Swapping Judges For Juries: Will This Really Be Swifter And Fairer?
Chris Henley KC
Past chair of the Criminal Bar Association
Criminal Bar Association
Episode: Swapping Judges For Juries: Will This Really Be Swifter And Fairer?
Professor Kerry Brown
Professor of Chinese Studies at King's College London and Director of the Lao China Institute
King's College London
Episode: Why Did The Chinese Spying Case Really Collapse? Double Jeopardy Receives a Leaked Copy of the Defence’s Expert Report and an Exclusive Interview With Its Author, Professor Kerry Brown (who was not the source of the leak!)

Hosts

Ken Macdonald
Former Director of Public Prosecutions, experienced in shaping modern prosecutorial policy and advocating for the rule of law. A prominent voice on civil liberties and criminal justice issues.
Tim Owen
Barrister with extensive experience in significant public and criminal law cases, who has made contributions to discussions surrounding human rights and law reform.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 541 ratings
  • Fantastic. Insightful. Authoritative. Understandable!

    As a non legal brain this is a wonderful commentary on the legal system and the issues affecting the UK and the wider world. Ken and Tim make excellent hosts and seem to have incredible access to current and future heavyweights. Particularly enjoyed the discussion with Akua Reindorf. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cambridge Ben
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Shocking lack of insight

    Listening to the arguments (Basically right wing political justification) of these two especially Ken McDonald on the indefinite detainment of the Palestine hunger strikers before trial was terrifying: these are people who are being detained indefinitely without conviction for property damage. At the same time our justice system routinely releases convicted domestic abusers and murders after not even serving half the sentences they have been given by a court after conviction. We seem to be no di... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dangerous EE
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Love this podcast

    Thank you both. I love listening to this much needed dose of reality each week. I just wish each episode was longer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DarlingAnya5
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Review

    I look forward to listening each week and am inconsolable that there isn’t one this week of Christmas: the law explained: fact based; fantastic guests and good explainers - long may you prosper

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Magadon 66
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Chinese prejudices

    The latest Double Jeopardy podcast, examining the reason why the prosecution against the two gentleman accused of passing sensitive information to the People’s Republic of China was withdrawn, is of special interest to me living, as I do, in Hong Kong China. It reveals the inherent prejudice within the English population and in particular the politicians to China. I hope that a wide audience listens to the discussion. It may expel some prejudice. it’s nice to have Double Jeopardy, a thoughtful a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The dude who hates this game
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is recognized for its balanced perspective on current affairs and legal issues, making it accessible even for non-legal professionals.
Some critiques mention a perceived lack of depth in addressing certain controversial topics, showcasing the diverse opinions among the audience.
Listeners appreciate the insightful commentary on complex legal matters and the dynamic discussions between hosts and guests.
Feedback suggests a strong engagement with the content, indicating the hosts' ability to break down intricate legal concepts into understandable discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#56
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#122
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#184
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#131
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#151
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#173
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Listeners’ Postbag: Iran, Juries, and Too Many Lawyers
Q: What is the legal basis for a concern about prejudicing a police investigation?
The legal basis is found in the Attorney General Against MGM Limited and Another judgment, which articulates the contempt framework and how communications that create a real risk of prejudicing criminal proceedings can be restrained, especially when they could influence juries or deter defense witnesses.
Lammy Sets Out His Stall - Will Justice Be The Loser?
Q: Is there support for the sunset clause or pilot approach to the reforms?
There is some discussion among MPs about a sunset clause or pilot approach to test reforms, but there is skepticism about whether such measures would actually be implemented or rolled back if problems arise, and concerns that the government has not seriously committed to these options.
Lammy Sets Out His Stall - Will Justice Be The Loser?
Q: What are the main concerns about the Courts and Tribunals Bill in terms of jury trials?
The main concerns are that removing the defendant's right to elect jury trial in certain cases may not deliver the promised backlog relief and could undermine the fairness and public confidence that juries provide, with additional worries about increased workloads in the Magistrates Court and potential underfunding.
Iran - Bombing International Law?
Q: How do you reconcile the politics of leadership with the law when the public and politicians distrust the legal advice given on Iraq and similar conflicts?
He notes the lasting shadow of Iraq, argues that leaders must be transparent about the legal and moral reasoning, and that international law should be used to inform decisions without surrendering political pragmatism.
Iran - Bombing International Law?
Q: David, can we start with what I'm going to call the question of certainty, by which I mean certainty about the legality of this attack?
David argues that while there are nuances, there are cogent legal bases for the strikes including collective self-defense and preventing genocidal threats, but stresses the need to ensure law makes practical sense and isn't captured by politics alone.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Double Jeopardy

What is Double Jeopardy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on the intricate relationship between law and politics in the UK, offering informed commentary on prominent legal issues, political disputes, and human rights matters. With a keen ability to navigate through high-profile legal cases and discussions that touch on civil liberties, the podcast explores pressing topics ranging from judicial independence and governmental accountability to the broader societal implications of recent legal reforms. Each episode features in-depth discussions and insights from influential guests, making it a critical resource for understanding the contemporary legal and political landscape in Britain. Unique in its approach, it fosters a balance between complex legal explanations and accessible ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Double Jeopardy?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Double Jeopardy. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Double Jeopardy and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Double Jeopardy get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Double Jeopardy, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Double Jeopardy?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Double Jeopardy, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Double Jeopardy have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Double Jeopardy has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Double Jeopardy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Double Jeopardy:

1. The News Agents
2. The Law Show
3. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. The Rest Is Politics: Leading

How many episodes of Double Jeopardy are there?

Double Jeopardy launched 4 years ago and published 143 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Double Jeopardy?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Double Jeopardy?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Double Jeopardy from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Double Jeopardy?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Double Jeopardy. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Double Jeopardy?

Recent guests on Double Jeopardy include:

1. Professor Jeremy Horder
2. Gavin Miller
3. Cassia Rowland
4. Devika Hovell
5. Joshua Rozenberg
6. Simon Moore
7. Riel Karmy-Jones KC
8. Chris Henley KC

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days