Full Comment

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 enforcement.

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 recommendations: proposals aimed at easing the backlog and restoring efficiency without breaking the public purse. Ed and Danielle debate ideas, including a controversial case amnesty, expanded summary offences, and the prospect of judge-only trials. They weigh the benefits of reform against the risks of eroding long-held principles like the right to a jury trial, reflecting on the impact of delay for both victims and defendants.A thoughtful, at times radical, exploration of what change might look like and whether juries really are sacrosanct.

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 courtHow this affects professional ethics, regulatory duties, and client trustWhat the judiciary expects from lawyers using AI tools Why the responsibility extends to firm leadership and regulators

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 unsafe. Danielle and Edward unpack:The timeline of Sullivan’s case and the role of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)Why some believe the CCRC failed and what the stats really showHow advances in forensic science are reshaping past convictionsThe real-life cost of wrongful imprisonment and whether compensation can ever be enough

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 found not guilty? Find out in our latest episode of Full Comment. 

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 young people are involved. This episode builds on themes from Netflix’s Adolescence and asks urgent questions about youth, ideology, and the future of justice in an online world.

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. From the depiction of custody procedures and legal rights to the often misrepresented role of defence solicitors, this episode offers a rare insider perspective from three seasoned criminal defence lawyers. It's a look at what really happens when a child enters the criminal justice system.

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 law doesn't go far enough and he and Danielle debate whether the law should adapt to include harsher penalties particularly in sensitive locations like school zones.

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, and privacy?A thought-provoking listen on AI’s darker edge. 

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 that the kiss was consensual. Danielle and Ed discuss ‘the kiss’, the issue of consent and the extra-territoriality of the Sexual Offences Act.

In this episode ofFull 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 recent high profile cases sparking debate on judicial discretion and human rights, they explore whether current sentencing law and procedure strikes the right balance between punishment, transparency, and fairness.

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.

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.