The LexisNexis legal awards 2024 were presented in London last night and I was honoured to receive the lifetime contribution award.
In a brief speech of thanks, I assured those present that I had accepted the award on the understanding that it did not mark the end of my contribution to the law — or indeed of my lifetime.
On reflection, though, it seemed a good opportunity to mention some milestones in my career.
I have just completed a term of nearly five years as a non-executive board member of the Law Commission.
On 26 March, I shall be presenting a special farewell edition of Law in Action, a programme I launched on Radio 4 almost 40 years ago when I first started covering legal affairs for BBC News. I’m now working on plans to launch my own podcast in the autumn.
And there’s a personal milestone coming up later this month — I almost said millstone — when my wife and I will be celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary.
So this seems a good time to show you an interview I recorded just over 30 years ago for C-Span, the non-profit network created by the US cable television industry in 1979. I discussed the British constitution with Brian Lamb, the journalist who launched the network and became its first chief executive.
You can watch the half-hour interview here. As you’ll see, a lot has changed since 1993.
Back at the event last night, I was delighted that my good friend Adam Wagner (above) won the Halsbury award for the rule of law.
And for those of you who wonder what these occasions look and sound like, here’s six seconds of video:
Prisons
In my column for this week’s Law Society Gazette, I discuss the justice secretary’s plans to release prisoners as much as 60 days early and ask whether he has the power to do so.
Andrea Coomber KC (hon), chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, told me in an interview we recorded yesterday that the previous Labour government had used the same legislative provisions to release prisoners before the end of their sentences. You’ll be able hear what Andrea has to say about all this on next Tuesday’s Law in Action.
And you can read my Gazette column by clicking here. Click anywhere on page 12 for an easy-to-read version.