Full Comment

Domestic Abuse, Suicide and the Law

Recent cases in England and Scotland have forced the criminal courts to confront a painful question: when a victim of domestic abuse takes their own life, can the abuser be held criminally responsible for the death? Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh examine the acquittals in the English cases of Ryan Wellings and Christopher Trybus, the Scottish culpable homicide conviction of Lee Milne, and the wider challenge of proving causation where coercive control, mental health and autonomy collide.

Barcelona, the ECBA and Perspectives from European Criminal Lawyers

In this episode of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange travel to Barcelona for the European Criminal Bar Association Spring Conference and use the opportunity to speak to European criminal lawyers about issues affecting their criminal justice systems and why being a member of an association of lawyers such as the ECBA can have benefits beyond professional networking. Whose inspiration in becoming a lawyer was Ally McBeal and who are better: French or English judges?

Grass Roots Football: When does conduct on the pitch become a criminal offence?

In this episode, Edward Grange and Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh discuss when conduct in grassroots football crosses the line into criminal behaviour. Drawing on Ed’s personal experience as a referee, they discuss and reflect on the realities of officiating from the National League downwards, where high emotions, differing interpretations of the rules, and the influence of social media can quickly escalate situations. They explore where the legal thresholds lie, from verbal abuse and physical contact through to sustained targeting of referees, and what this can mean in practice when matters move beyond the pitch and into the criminal sphere, set against FA data on the scale of abuse faced by officials.   ** Disclaimer** This episode contains some contextual strong language reflective of the subject matter and first-hand accounts.

Ten Years of Coercive Control Laws — Are They Working?

In this episode of Full Comment, Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange take a close look at the offence of coercive or controlling behaviour in its 10th anniversary, and consider whether the legislation has delivered on its intended purpose. Drawing on practical experience in these kinds of cases, they explore how the law is being applied, the evidential challenges it presents, and whether it is achieving meaningful outcomes both for those it is designed to protect and those who claim to have been falsely accused.

Interpol Uncovered: Red Notices, Myths & the Reality of Global Policing

In this episode of Full Comment, the Corker Binning Crime Team go global, unpacking the reality behind Interpol following the BBC documentary Wanted: The Interpol Files. From red notices and diffusions to data protection, human rights safeguards, and the real-world impact on individuals, this episode cuts through the myths and explains how Interpol really works. Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange explore common misconceptions (no, Interpol doesn’t arrest people), how national authorities interact with Interpol through National Central Bureaus, and why red notices can have life-changing consequences, even when no arrest ever happens. They also look at Interpol’s successes in tackling cross-border crime, the role of the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF), and the growing tension between global police cooperation and domestic criminal justice systems. Whether you’re curious about international law, concerned about travel risks, or want a clearer understanding of how global policing operates behind the scenes, this episode offers practical insight grounded in real legal experience.