Certainly Not Legal Advice

About Certainly Not Legal Advice

Join Duncan Adam, Hannah Mimiec and Dr Alex Simmonds as they examine legal topics of the past, present and future. Informative, entertaining and thought provoking but Certainly Not Legal Advice! If you wish to contact Duncan, Hannah or Alex, please send an email to DNLApodcast@gmail.com

Publisher

dnlapodcast

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Feb 2025

Latest episode

4 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Apr 2026

   Episode 43 - Artemis II, Bus News, Nuremberg, 'Knives Out' and the return of the (Cor) mack!

   In this episode of everybody's favourite Law podcast we have an extended 'News' bulletin in which we discuss some of the law relating to the Artemis II Mission (at the time of recording the astronauts were in Earth orbit),  explore some responses to a recent survey about public transport, consider the legalities of modifying a car interior with drug paraphernalia and chat about Art theft. There is then the first of hopefully many 'Spotlights' on the historic Nuremberg trials, masterfully presented by Duncan and Ruaridh. Finally, Hannah tells us about one of her favourite murder mysteries ('Knives Out') and how it illustrates the 'slayer rule' in succession cases. Show Notes News Artemis 2 launch: space is one giant leap for lawmakers | Scottish Legal News Interstellar Ramadan - The New York Times Your Bus Journey - the independent bus user survey - 2025 results - Transport Focus Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse art among items stolen in Italian job - BBC News And finally… pipe dream | Scottish Legal News Spotlight on Nuremberg Books: Alexander Macdonald, The Nuremberg Trials: The Nazis brought to justice James Owen, Nuremberg: Evil on Trial Footage shown during trials as reported by Ruaridh (WARNING: Distressing Scenes) File:Nazi Concentration Camps.webm - Wikipedia Law on Film 'Knives Out' trailer: https://youtu.be/qGqiHJTsRkQ?si=sJiq_vVopkcTJjjy Music Intro / News: Alex Simmonds 'Commercial Street' https://open.spotify.com/track/3IjJu9DIUL3XIM9entdfoh?si=d86945afdfc94e94 Outro: Alex Simmonds, 'Making Plans' https://open.spotify.com/track/1W7NX9BBlzb0ShnsEBjZS8?si=c04ba91941a64a15 Spotlight: Alex Simmonds, 'No Added Sugar' https://open.spotify.com/track/0wsi89cklND4dQ7DbRUY6i?si=eeb72505ff6d4a84

2. 

   23 Mar 2026

   Episode 42 - Dog Theft, The Plugs and Sockets etc (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Celebrity Guests Emma Bell and Olivia McMurtie join us to discuss Lord Jones Mooting Success

   Join Alex, Duncan and Hannah for yet another (belated- apologies, things have been very busy!) instalment of everybody's favourite law podcast, Certainly Not Legal Advice! In this episode we discuss whether a specific law against stealing dogs is really necessary, explore some of the nuances of the assisted dying law in Jersey, discover some of the legal facets of the movie, 'Alien: Romulus' and unearth a legally sinister aspect of The Plugs and Sockets etc (Safety) Regulations 1994. We are then joined in the studio by Celebrity Guests Emma Bell and Olivia McMurtie to talk about Dundee Law School's recent victory in the Lord Jones Moot in addition to all things mooting-related... News Dundee University wins Lord Jones Moot on 10th anniversary | Scottish Legal News Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website Assisted dying in Jersey Law on Film Alien Romulus Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/OzY2r2JXsDM?si=xm81QE3sWkKOCwNW Very Boring Legislation The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 Link to British Standard 1363 - BS 1363-1:2023 - TC | 30 Jun 2023 | BSI Knowledge Music Intro: 'Commercial Street', Alex Simmonds https://open.spotify.com/track/3IjJu9DIUL3XIM9entdfoh?si=93005664d3c1484c Outro: 'Making Plans', Alex Simmonds https://open.spotify.com/track/1W7NX9BBlzb0ShnsEBjZS8?si=6793a50870584fe8 Certainly Not Legal Advice Spotlight: 'No Added Sugar', Alex Simmonds https://open.spotify.com/track/0wsi89cklND4dQ7DbRUY6i?si=0d0f6549bf334a63 Very Boring Legislation: 'Depth of Field', Alex Simmonds https://open.spotify.com/track/4sC9vLLJNisB4KajQMBMJr?si=de147ef93fdc44ff

3. 

   23 Feb 2026

   Episode 41 - Oat Milk, 'The Man Who Sued God', 'Ancient Law', and Celebrity Guest Andrew Savage joins us to discuss qualification periods in Unfair Dismissal claims

   According to our Celebrity Guest Andrew Savage this week, the podcast was exactly a year and a day old on the day of recording... whilst we may have missed the chance to do a special feature on the old 'year and a day' rule as it applied to murder in England and Wales, we nevertheless have a jam-packed show. First, there is some inevitable discussion of the week's news regarding the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor regarding allegations that he strenuously denies before Billy Connolly makes his 'Law on Film' debut as 'The Man Who Sued God'. Next we fire up the time machine as we head to ancient Rome to discuss Roman contract law in the debut of our new feature, 'Ancient Law', before returning swiftly to the present for a spotlight on the reforms to qualification periods in unfair dismissal cases with our Celebrity Guest Andrew Savage. Links Dairy UK (Ltd) v Oatly Dairy UK Ltd (Respondent) v Oatly AB (Appellant) - UK Supreme Court Scottish Legal News: A top City of London banker has admitted to systematically dodging rail fares for nearly a year – saving himself £6,000 in the process. And finally… mind the gap | Scottish Legal News The Employment Rights Act 2025: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3737 Intro Music 'Commercial Street' by Alex Simmonds https://open.spotify.com/track/3IjJu9DIUL3XIM9entdfoh?si=65973b8b09d34389 Outro Music 'Making Plans' by Alex Simmonds https://open.spotify.com/track/1W7NX9BBlzb0ShnsEBjZS8?si=030d50f62cba4cb7

4. 

   10 Feb 2026

   Episode 40 - The Ecocide (Scotland) Bill 2025, 'A Boy Named Sue', The Salad Cream Regulations 1966 and Rupert Williams joins us again to discuss his latest article on Law and Language

   In this episode we get to grips with the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill 2025, discuss the limits of consent in respect of body modification and space tourism, discover the law on name-changes through the lens of 'A Boy Named Sue' by Johnny Cash / Shel Silverstein, and discuss the legal position on stolen cultural artefacts during war time as portrayed in the movie 'Woman in Gold'. Rupert Williams also returns to the airwaves to discuss his latest article, "Teaching for Language and Law: How and Why?" in the Edinburgh Law Review, and Alex, Duncan and Hannah undertake a long overdue forensic examination of The Salad Cream Regulations 1966. Rupert Williams Latest Article Teaching Language for Law: How and Why? | Edinburgh Law Review The News Ecocide (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website Holyrood backs crackdown on botox and non-surgical cosmetic procedures | Scottish Legal News (case discussed here: R v Brown [1993] UKHL 19 (11 March 1993)) And finally… short-tempered | Scottish Legal News Song With a Law Reference in It Johnny Cash 'A Boy Named Sue' https://open.spotify.com/track/1YjIjip6wBvtSUlmci3XCj?si=7ab5ed9d8974448a Very Boring Legislation The Salad Cream Regulations 1966 Music Intro - Alex Simmonds, 'Commercial Street' https://open.spotify.com/track/3IjJu9DIUL3XIM9entdfoh?si=6caa3cef03ee4fe8 Outro - Alex Simmonds, 'Making Plans' https://open.spotify.com/track/1W7NX9BBlzb0ShnsEBjZS8?si=3907deb41e994670

5. 

   27 Jan 2026

   Episode 39 - Greenland, The Railways Bill 2025, 'Twistin' in the Wind' and Rupert Williams tells us about his new book, 'Meandering Sweet'

   The first episode of the 'new look' Certainly Not Legal Advice podcast for 2026 kicks off with the latest news, specifically, the developments surrounding the status of Greenland and a curious case involving lawn maintenance from Canada. Rupert Williams, a language for law specialist at the University of Dundee also joins us for a fascinating episode of 'Orwell and Good' where he discusses legal aspects of his new book, 'Meandering Sweet: Walking up the River Tay', which comes highly recommended (see below for the Amazon link). Hold on to your hats for what comes next, as Duncan takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the Railways Bill 2025 for the Certainly Not Legal Advice Spotlight. The show closes with the first 'Song with a Law Reference in It' for 2026 which is 'Twistin' in the Wind' by David Byrne, formally of 'Talking Heads'. News Jacques Hartmann: Trump’s Greenland demands threaten international legal order | Scottish Legal News And finally… in the weeds | Scottish Legal News Rupert's Book Meandering Sweet: Walking up the River Tay : Williams, Rupert: Amazon.co.uk: Books Spotlight The Railways Bill 2025 Railways Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament Song with a Law Reference in It David Byrne, 'Twistin' in the Wind' Twistin' in the Wind - song and lyrics by David Byrne | Spotify Other Oscillate Wildly - 2011 Remaster - song and lyrics by The Smiths | Spotify Intro and Outro Music Alex Simmonds, 'Commercial Street' https://open.spotify.com/track/3IjJu9DIUL3XIM9entdfoh?si=d61de34356a44eb7 Alex Simmonds, 'Making Plans' https://open.spotify.com/track/1W7NX9BBlzb0ShnsEBjZS8?si=9e7d9743ff8c4470

6. 

   30 Dec 2025

   Happy Hogmanay and Best Wishes for the New Year from the Certainly Not Legal Advice Team!

   Wishing our listeners all the best for the new year and some updates too on what the podcast has in store for 2026! In short it'll have some of the old and plenty of the new... Many thanks to you all for listening and we look forward to bringing you more news, more songs with law references in them, more laws on film and a host of exciting new features to boot in 2026.

7. 

   19 Dec 2025

   Episode 38 - The Certainly Not Legal Advice Christmas Party! Featuring 'Miracle on 34th Street', 'Last Christmas' and the great Tinned Turkey debate of 1948

   It's the Certainly Not Legal Advice Christmas Party and you're all invited! All the legal Christmas questions you never knew you wanted the answers to are right here. Join us for a magical Christmassy journey through the wonders of human body part ownership, the law on Turkey rationing and the fascinating law on Christmas Crackers as we see 2025 out with a bang! Show Notes The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 Grainger Plc & Ors v. Nicholson [2009] UKEAT 0219_09_0311 (3 November 2009) House of Lords - Regina v. Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others (Respondents) ex parte Williamson (Appellant) and others The Establishments (Christmas Turkeys) Order, 1948 Tinned Turkey - Hansard - UK Parliament The Old Foodie: The Meals in Establishments Order (1948) 'Body Parts and Property' in Northern Lights: Essays in Private Law in Memory of Professor David Carey Miller Rights of Personality, Property Rights and the Human Body in Scots Law | Edinburgh Law Review (paywall) 'Last Christmas' https://open.spotify.com/track/2FRnf9qhLbvw8fu4IBXx78?si=bcfcf97012f14095

8. 

   16 Dec 2025

   Episode 37 - The Drunk Men's Choir, The EU Tyre Labelling Regulation 2020, 'A Few Good Men' and a Depeche Mode song about contracts

   A historic episode for Certainly Not Legal Advice as Hannah Mimiec stars in her first show as a regular co-presenter and the podcast receives its first ever email (at any rate, its first one which isn't unsolicited spam...). Following a round-up of the week's news, the team delve into a very special 'Song With a Law Reference in It' before Hannah takes the floor and presents a fascinating spotlight feature illustrating how the phenomenon known as 'The Drunk Men's Choir' neatly illustrates the nuances of copyright law as regards user created content. Alex and Duncan then discuss some incredibly boring - but, as it turns out, rather fascinating - legislation before examining a possible legal flaw in the favourite movie of many lawyers, 'A Few Good Men'. News The Baltic Kipper Shipping containers in the Solent | HM Coastguard UK The case of the Snowy Egret And finally… instant egret | Scottish Legal News Song with a Law Reference in It Depeche Mode 'Everything Counts' https://open.spotify.com/track/4oWQeGyPFyr4EpTrv5v0gJ?si=babe091e1e104d97 Jarvis v Swan's Tours [1972] EWCA Civ 8 https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/1972/8.html Other Songs Mentioned Sam Fender, 'Hypersonic Missiles' https://open.spotify.com/track/6CltzquypraYIlWFp48m1O?si=b749a50b9e33491d Tupac, 'Changes' https://open.spotify.com/track/1ofhfV90EnYhEr7Un2fWiv?si=0d3e840581b24006 Bruce Hornsby and the Range, 'The Way It Is' https://open.spotify.com/track/6V50MyHPGhEmwYu0Wdyf0t?si=99d70703387646f0 The Drunk Men's Choir Peggle's Ode to Joy - The Drunk Men's Choir Very Boring Legislation Regulation (EU) 2020/740 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 2020 on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other parameters, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/740/oj/eng

9. 

   22 Nov 2025

   Episode 36 - Vegemite, Mooting and the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. Featuring Celebrity Guest Ruaridh Cormack!

   After a round up of some of the week's news, Alex and Duncan are joined by yet another Celebrity Guest. This time its Ruaridh Cormack who joins us to talk about Mooting. The trio later discuss aspects of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East which was established following World War 2 and there is a Song With A Law Reference In It which is simply 'out of this world'... Show Notes University of Dundee Mooting Society site University of Dundee Mooting Society (@dundeeunimooting) • Instagram photos and videos Russian spy ship enters British waters and shines lasers at military pilots | Military | The Guardian IHL Treaties - CCW Protocol (IV) on Blinding Laser Weapons, 1995 And finally… love it or hate it | Scottish Legal News Judgement at Tokyo by Gary J. Bass | Waterstones 'Organ Variation' by Hans Zimmer, from the 'Interstellar' soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/track/6dkJvNZ7DJWzTFXv3KHmoT?si=1737d96c90434182 'Down Under' by Men at Work: https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZZq9396zv8pcn5GYVhxUi?si=d3e99365d7264e3e

10. 

    7 Nov 2025

    Episode 35 – Celebrity Guest Hannah Mimiec launches our new feature, ‘Orwell and Good’ and Alex and Duncan go on a fascinating voyage around the Sale of Goods Act 1979

    A very special episode this week as your hosts, Alex and Duncan are joined by celebrity guest Hannah Mimiec! A specialist in Law and Literature, Hannah launches the podcast’s newest feature, Orwell & Good, by explaining how licensing laws come into one of her favourite George Orwell articles. The discussion that follows covers many diverse subjects from women’s rights, social and cultural participation and the origin of laws relating to recreational drugs. Alex and Duncan also discuss some of the latest news and present another fascinating spotlight feature- this time it’s the Sale of Goods Act 1979! Links and Notes The Moon Under Water | The Orwell Foundation Sale of Goods Act 1893 Sale of Goods Act 1979 Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994 Consumer Rights Act 2015 Cases Bernstein v Pamson Motors (Golders Green) Ltd [1987] 2 All ER 220 Esso Petroleum Co Ltd v Commissioners of Customs and Excise [1975] UKHL 4 Gardiner v Gray (1815) 4 Camp 144 Millars of Falkirk Limited v Turpie 1976 S.L.T. (Notes) 66 Re Moore & Co and Landauer & Co [1921] 2 KB 519 Rogers v Parish (Scarborough) Ltd [1987] QB 933 Shine v General Guarantee Corpn [1988] 1 All ER 911 Smith v Hughes (1871) LR 6 QB 597 Articles and Books Edward Bates, ‘Applying the appropriate statutory regime for implied terms about quality and fitness: the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015’, I.C.C.L.R. 2022, 33(6), 317-327 Robert Bradgate, Commercial Law, 3rd edition, Butterworths, 2000 Micahel Bridge, ‘Risk, property and bulk goods in international sales’ [1991] LMCLQ 52 Michael Bridge, ‘What is to be done about sale of goods?’, L.Q.R. 2003, 119(Apr), 173-177 Brian Clapham, ‘Caveat venditor!’, Arbitration 1996, 62(1), 50-52 Jordan English, ‘The nature of "promissory conditions"’, L.Q.R. 2021, 137(Oct), 630-657 W.C.H. Ervine, ‘Satisfactory quality: what does it mean?’, J.B.L. 2004, Nov, 684-703

11. 

    29 Oct 2025

    Episode 34 - Halloween Spooktacular Special! The law on Witchcraft, the Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951, Big Cats and much more!

    Join Alex and Duncan for this spooktacular Halloween special episode of 'Certainly Not Legal Advice'! Your two hosts discuss the law relating to Witchcraft, discuss some terrifyingly spooky news, and explore The Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951. There is also a Halloween themed 'Song with a Law Reference' and 'Law on Film' for you to enjoy. So, dim the lights, treat yourself to a cup of your favourite hot drink and settle in for a 'frighteningly' long episode of 'Certainly Not Legal Advice'! Links Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951 Survey of Scottish Witchcraft main site: https://witches.hca.ed.ac.uk Map of Accused Witches: witches Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 VIDEO: Fresh Doncaster 'big cat' sighting as 4ft beast filmed prowling outside McDonald's Bobby "Boris" Pickett, 'Monster Mash': https://open.spotify.com/track/6GmL39a9OazWtyMkAbJz7v?si=ab95d7d811084c3c

12. 

    16 Oct 2025

    Episode 33 - Autonomous Vehicles, 'Oppenheimer' and a Very Controversial Very Boring Legislation...

    In this episode, Alex and Duncan discuss the policing of crimes committed by autonomous vehicles, explore the quasi-judicial hearing at the 'heart' of the 2023 movie, 'Oppenheimer', brave the savage garden that is 'Song With a Law Reference in It' and drive a number of salient points home in what is possibly the most controversial 'Very Boring Legislation' to date... There is also some digression from the main theme as the presenters discuss some of their favourite literature. Links The Formula 1 Regulations 2024: fia_2024_formula_1_sporting_regulations_-_issue_1_-_2023-09-26.pdf Savage Garden, 'To the Moon and Back': https://open.spotify.com/track/6FRtjadDsEhZIQIlh1loEM?si=a4f8e2bc82d64302

13. 

    3 Oct 2025

    Episode 32 - (We're Back!) The abolition of the 'not proven' verdict in Scotland, Top Tips for Studying Law and 'Trainspotting'

    We're back for a brand new series of podcasts that are Certainly Not Legal Advice! In this episode, Alex and Duncan discuss the abolition of the 'not proven' verdict in Scotland, reminisce about their early days at University and ponder the advice they would give to their younger selves both in terms of study skills and how to enjoy the social aspects of University more generally. 'Law on Film' also makes a return to the airwaves with 'Trainspotting' (although not for the reasons you may assume). No 'Song with a Law Reference in It' or 'Very Boring Legislation' this week (because we ran out of time in the mic booth) but do not despair, they will both make a return in the next episode... Links: Alex's book: The Space Legislation of the United Kingdom | Brill

14. 

    28 Mar 2025

    Episode 31- Special Relativity, the Death Penalty and the Milk Bottle Caps Regulations 1973

    In this episode, Duncan and Alex share their views on recent legal developments, discuss their latest publications and embark on a comparative deep-dive into some very boring legislation indeed! 'Law on Film' and 'Song With a Law Reference in It' are also back! Links: Alex Simmonds, ‘A Study of the Legal Implications of Time Dilation in Accordance with Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity’ (2024) 9(1) Cambridge Law Review 1–27 fb0f90_ddf346fce10d401f94e11cb38f96ccb0.pdf Alex Simmonds, 'Is the Speed of Law faster than the Speed of Light: Considerations of the impact of Special Relativity on the Operation of Law in the context of deep space missions' Journal of Space Law, Volume 47 1 Number 2, 2023, 346 Vol 47- No. 2 2023.pdf | Powered by Box Alex Simmonds, ‘In space, the other side should have the right to be heard’ Coventry Law Journal, Cov. L.J. 2023, 28(1), 23-37 04_-_In_space_the_other_side_should_have_the_right_to_be_heard.pdf The Milk and Dairies (Milk Bottle Caps) (Colour) Regulations 1973 Grace Jones, 'This Is': https://open.spotify.com/track/7rMD5meOy1CjxmMQVPkBDF?si=aa1ae222a2534e3e

15. 

    5 Mar 2025

    Episode 30 - Wareham Pedestrian Level Crossing and Thermonuclear Warfare

    In this episode, Duncan and Alex discuss some of the latest legal news, embark on an examination of the law relating to Nuclear Weapons and engage in a scintillating debate over The Sacks (Cleaning and Repairing) Welfare Order (Northern Ireland) 1928. Also, our regular feature 'Law on Film' is back along with the debut of 'Song with a Law Reference in It'! Links: Wareham pedestrian level crossing - Dorset Council Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Nuclear Weapons: Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons Dissenting Opinion of Judge Weeramantry: 095-19960708-ADV-01-12-EN.pdf Nuclear Weapons Law by WH Boothby and W Heintschel von Heinegg, Cambridge University Press, 2022. The Sacks (Cleaning and Repairing) Welfare Order (Northern Ireland) 1928 The Prodigy, 'Their Law': https://open.spotify.com/track/00Qv5EGE9Mveie08d6ilXR?si=807d2c405a3c4d14

16. 

    19 Feb 2025

    Episode 29 - Pilot

    The pilot episode of Definitely Not Legal Advice! Duncan and Alex ponder various topics including, but not limited to, the rule of law, slavery in ancient Rome, the legal significance of the 1987 movie 'Robocop' and the legal definition of a unicycle for the purposes of Road Traffic Law. Links Roads (Scotland) Act 1984

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.