When courts step in to resolve disputes between private parties, what impact do these decisions have on managing market distribution and economic inequality? Dr Joseph Spooner argues that the law has a "constitutive role" that directly impacts the way markets function. In this episode, Dr Spooner discusses his findings and analysis from his 2024 article "Contract Law: When the Poor Pay More" with Professor Floris de Witte. Dr Spooner makes the case that private law decisions are, by their nature, part of a "distributive realm," which requires critical engagement with decisions taken by courts. Although law and politics operate differently, the impact that each have on the other may demand a more rigorous analysis of the distributive outcomes of judicial decisions. Disclaimer: In this episode mention is made of the Johnson v Firstrand England and Wales Court of Appeal decision and the possibility of it being appealed to the Supreme Court. Since the time of recording, the Supreme Court has accepted the appeal and arguments are due to be heard in early April. This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Floris de Witte and Joseph SpoonerWebsite: https://www.lse.ac.uk/lawInstagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio

If one examines the history of financial crises whether in the late 90s in Asia or the global financial crisis of 07-08 you might wonder what role - if any - government agencies or intergovernmental agencies can play in alleviating the possibilities of economic crash. In this episode, Professor Floris de Witte engages with the rich work of Professor Niamh Moloney to examine how capital market regulation works in the European Union. Can we regulate our way out of financial crisis? Professor Moloney shares some skepticism and offers critical insight into how capital market regulation can look like in the European Union. This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Floris de Witte and Niamh Moloney Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio

In this episode of Ratio, Professor Floris de Witte interviews Dr Marie Petersmann and Dr Dimitri Vandermeerssche on the work they have done curating their lecture series, conference and podcast: "Underworlds – Sites and Struggles of Global Dis/Ordering." In their conversation with Floris, Marie and Dimitri discuss the ways in which conceptions of authority and order shape how international law operates in upholding certain practices while inhibiting the imagination of novel ways of engaging with our planet, its natural resources, and the politics that dot the international system. This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Floris de Witte, Marie Petersmann, and Dimitri Vandermeerssche Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio Listen to the Underworld series here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/underworlds

In episode 12, Professor Floris de Witte and Dr Jan Zglinski discuss the regulation of sport through European Union law. Various points of contention may arise between sports governing bodies and the legal structures they interact with. While sports teams are interested in not being at a competitive disadvantage with other teams, the European Court of Justice has to ensure that the rules of sport are not in contravention of Union law principles. How is this balance struck? Listen to find out! This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Floris de Witte and Jan Zglinski Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio

In May 2024, the Infected Blood Inquiry report was published (accessible here: https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/reports/inquiry-report). The report detailed the systemic issues that led to the infected blood scandal, which saw the deaths of over 3000 people who received infected blood whilst undergoing different medical treatments. Hannah Gibbs, an assistant professor at the LSE, sat down with Professor Nicola Lacey to discuss the Infected Blood Inquiry. Hannah represented 300 core participants in the Inquiry and in this episode articulated what she learned about the nature of public inquiries more generally. What role do public inquiries play within the legal system? Do they provide sufficient vindication for the victims of tragedies like the infected blood scandal? Nicola Lacey and Hannah Gibbs consider these questions and much more. This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Nicola Lacey and Hannah Gibbs Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio

Is there a right to security in the criminal law? Professor Peter Ramsay's 2012 book The Insecurity State Vulnerable Autonomy and the Right to Security in the Criminal Law, explained how such a right is apparent when one examines the different instruments employed by the state to guarantee precautionary justice. In this episode of Ratio, Professor Nicola Lacey speaks with Peter to unpack the implications that a right to security presents. What do precautionary laws, i.e., laws that seek to reassure one's aversion from another's risky behaviour towards them, tell us about the nature of criminalisation? Nicola and Peter discuss this and much more. This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio

How should judges combat accusations of the politicisation of their courts? What happens when courts fall victim to political capture? Professor Nicola Lacey and Professor Susanne Baer discuss the nature of constitutionalism and the way in which courts around the world are engaged in conversation with one another to inform the way justice is globally conceived. The episode delves into Professor Baer’s rich history of legal practice as a Justice in the Federal Constitutional Court in Germany and how this experience alongside her extensive academic background informs her conceptions on democratic constitutionalism.  This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Nicola Lacey and Susanne Baer Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio

In honour of the years of academic service to the LSE, this episode of Ratio examines some of the contribution of Professor Julia Black in enriching the LSE and academia at large. In conversation with Julia, Professor Niamh Moloney also discusses the theoretical framework introduced by Julia in her book Rules and Regulators, which helped to outline how power is distributed in society through rules and regulations. This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Niamh Moloney and Julia Black Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio

In this episode of Ratio, Dr Sarah Trotter has a conversation with the LSE's President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Larry Kramer. Amongst the many interesting topics discussed, this episode delves into the importance of interdisciplinary work as a way to produce meaningful scholarship. Professor Kramer also offers his vision for the LSE as he begins his position of President and Vice Chancellor.

Does the environment possess rights? Perhaps it does, but according to Dr Marie Petersmann, such a claim reinforces a conception of rights centred on the human experience. In this episode of Ratio, Professor Gerry Simpson explores this argument put forth by Dr Petersmann. In doing so, we are asked to confront the shortcoming s that arise when one asserts that 'nature' has rights. Is environmental law undermined by our current framework of rights that extolls the human rather than -- and perhaps at the expense of -- the environment? This episode was produced by Mohid Malik. Speakers: Gerry Simpson and Marie Petersmann Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/law Instagram: @lselaw; X: @LSERatio