SLA Spotlight

For the fourth episode, the SLA Spotlight is on Andrew Monaghan, a leading authority on Russian politics, security, and foreign policy. He is the Director of AM Leadmark Research Ltd and a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London and a Non-Resident Associate Fellow at NATO's Defense College in Rome. He has published extensively on the dynamics of Russia-West relations, providing expert analysis to governments and international organisations. Dr Monaghan is a regular speaker at international conferences and literary festivals, having authored numerous works on Russia and its surrounding geopolitics – the most recent of which, The New Politics of Russia: Interpreting Change, was published in spring 2024. He sat down with veteran journalist Malcolm Munro on the 26th of September to discuss various pressing topics around Russia, notably the conflict in Ukraine – how we got here, his assessment of the current situation, and where it may go next. Tune in to hear the view of a top expert on one of the most critical geopolitical crises since the Second World War.

As prison populations continue to swell, and the urgent need for prison reform becomes ever more critical, SLA Spotlight’s is focused on Joshua Rozenberg, the UK's foremost legal commentator; whose coverage of the legal sector and the judiciary over the last four decades has significantly influenced the public's understanding of legal issues in the country. Joshua sat down with fellow journalist Malcolm Munro in late September to discuss his career, the role of media round trials and legal cases, and issues around prison reform, and much more. Tune in to hear the leading voice from the world of legal affairs discuss some of the most crucial topics around law, media and legislation.

Our second episode puts the SLA Spotlight on Baiju Vasani, Barrister at Twenty Essex Chambers. Speaking with veteran journalist Malcolm Munro this episode covers Investor/State Treaties and their intersection with current sanctions regimes, geopolitical aspects of these Treaties, representing controversial clients, the Rule of Law, and the Investor/State claim being brought against Luxembourg that was recently reported in Global Arbitration Review, a case he has first hand knowledge of. Its a fascinating listen as Baiju deals with the hard questions arising from these challenging legal issues.

For the inaugural episode of SLA Spotlight – the podcast created and produced by the litigation and disputes communications experts Stuart Leach Associates – veteran journalist Malcolm Munro is joined by Oba Nsugbe KC, Head of Pump Court Chambers and a leading barrister in the UK and Nigeria. Coinciding with the start of Black History Month, Oba talks to Malcolm about topics surrounding diversity and inclusion in the world of law, including his own journey to qualifying as a barrister, his experiences during the process, and developments he has seen in the profession since he was called to the Bar in 1985. Oba also discusses the differences between practising in Nigeria and the UK, and his perceptions of the state of the legal industry in both countries, and much more.