Slater and Gordon launch first Consumer Law Podcast

Slater and Gordon have launched the first UK podcast that tells the stories of people who have gone through the civil justice system.

Presented by Kate Gerbeau, a BAFTA winning journalist best known for fronting BBC’s Watchdog and Newsround, each episode will explore a different area of law through the perspective of a client.

The series of 12 episodes, called The Case Files, will cover issues such as medical negligence, sexual harassment in the workplace, maternity discrimination, divorce, the VW “dieselgate” class action, and tackle other legal matters faced by millions of people every year.

While a range of different solicitors from Slater and Gordon will feature in each 30-minute-long episode to explain the legal process, the emphasis of each episode will be on the experiences of the people impacted and how the events featured changed their lives.

Chief Customer Officer, Martyn Beauchamp, said: “Our clients are at the heart of our business and listening to their stories can be an incredibly emotional experience.

“We know that very often when people come to Slater and Gordon they want to get help but they also want to stop what happened to them happening to anyone else.

“We do a fantastic job at getting those messages heard in the national press and we produce some great videos for our social channels but sometimes it can be hard to explore the issues in enough depth.

“Podcasting gives us a way to allow each story to breath as we are not constrained by word counts and the news agenda.

“We are really excited to launch this and hope that we can raise awareness of legal issues and help educate people on civil law and their rights.”

New episodes will be released every two weeks and questions and listener interaction will be encouraged on the accompanying Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.

Presenter Kate Gerbeau, said: “As soon as I was approached to get involved I knew that the series would only work if the stories were strong. To hold the attention of an audience for a whole episode can sound like a challenge but every guest we have had on the show so far has been compelling.

“They have all overcome adversity and found the strength to undertake a complex legal process during what is often the most challenging time in their lives.

“It’s also been fascinating to get an insight in to the relationship between people and their lawyers. The solicitors don’t just look after the legal claim, but work with clients to direct them to charities and resources that can help them and their families.

“The twists and turns in each story can be quite gripping and I am sure that listeners will be as fascinated and as in awe of many of these guests as I am.”

It can be downloaded from iTunes and all major podcasts providers and by visiting www.slatergordon.co.uk/podcast/

Podcasting specialists 4DC are producing the series and the first episode features the story of Nicola Gogarty’s four year fight to learn the truth about her father’s murder.

Working with Slater and Gordon lawyer, Kim Harrison, Nicola managed to get the inquest in to his death reopened so she could understand how a convicted murderer was freed to kill again.

The second episode features the story behind the class action lawsuit against VW for how it was cheating emissions tests.

Howard Kosky, founder of 4DC; said: “In a media landscape of increasing competitiveness for share of voice it’s been a pleasure to work with Slater and Gordon, and our chosen podcast production partner Fresh Air. Both have been both brave and committed to ensuring that the opportunity that brand funded podcasts present is delivered in the most impactful manner."