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The trial of South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius has attracted worldwide attention, not least for the way in which he has been cross-examined by prosecutor, Gerrie Nel. Would such a combative approach be as effective - or allowed - in British courts?

Joshua Rozenberg discusses the art of courtroom advocacy with vice-chair of the Advocacy Training Council Anesta Weekes QC, and senior treasury counsel Richard Whittam QC, who recently prosecuted the two men convicted of murdering Fusilier Lee Rigby.

Also: After the Court of Appeal says its concerned about holding a criminal trial in complete secrecy - something the CPS had hoped to do in an on-going terror trial - Law in Action speaks to Guy Vassall-Adams from Matrix Chambers, who's been involved in challenging closed hearings. Have the judges struck the right balance?

Law in Action also looks at the proposed 'Heroism Bill' designed to protect volunteers from being sued - will it really make a difference in terms of the law, or is its real purpose to change public perception?

And with just a year to go until the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, former Lord Chief Justice Igor Judge and Prof David Little of Georgetown University discuss why the charter is treated with greater reverence in the USA than it is in the United Kingdom.

CONTRIBUTORS

Anesta Weekes QC, vice-chair of the Advocacy Training Council

Richard Whittam QC, senior treasury counsel

Guy Vassall-Adams, Matrix Chambers

Dr Justin Davis Smith, executive director of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Zahra Nanji, Leigh Day solicitors

Prof Karen Yeung, King's College London

Igor Judge, Baron Judge PC QC, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

Prof David Little, Georgetown University

Producer: Keith Moore
Series Producer: Richard Fenton-Smith.

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