Judges and the Power of Life and Death

Double Jeopardy - The Law and Politics Podcast

As the House of Commons casts an historic vote on assisted dying, the debate over this deeply contentious issue isn’t going away. If anything, the vote has ignited even stronger passions on both sides, particularly about the judiciary’s role in navigating such morally charged territory, making decisions over life and death.

In the latest episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen dissect this dilemma, the impact of religious beliefs on the legislative process, and the delicate balance judges must maintain when dealing with life-and-death decisions.

The discussion then widens to include the resignation of Louise Haigh over a very old offence, a development that raises real questions about whether her treatment is consistent with the government’s stated policies on rehabilitation, or whether her sacking was purely political. Against this backdrop, Ken and Tim reflect on the wider challenges facing the judicial system, including the persistent backlog of cases that threatens the integrity of justice in the UK.