Show Notes
In this special episode of the Litigation Podcast we hear from Abass Dodoo, master Ghanaian drummer and founder of One-Drum Foundation, in conversation with Ajay Ratan, Blackstone barrister and saxophonist in Abass’ band. Their wide-ranging discussion covers the creative process behind our new podcast music, the fascinating oral tradition by which Abass learned the drums growing up in Ghana, his pioneering work with One-Drum Foundation, and the many benefits of playing the drums (including Ajay’s experience of its peculiar benefits for lawyers!). You can see Abass and Ajay performing live on stage together in a recent video here. One-Drum Foundation is a UK-registered charity made up of a collective of London-based African master drummers, dancers, musicians and performers emanating from the diversity of Africa’s rich traditions. Its charitable purpose is to advance the education of the public in the arts, history and culture of African music, in particular, but not exclusively, through the provision of educational workshops and performances. For more information on the work of the One Drum Foundation, and links to donate, please see here. Today also marks the band’s release of ‘Kpanlogo’, recorded on board a floating studio on the Thames in the circumstances Abass and Ajay describe on the podcast. You can see the newly-released video for that here.
More from The Litigation Podcast
To celebrate our summer travels, the Blackstone Chambers Breakfast Briefing returns with a look at a series of recent important cases with both an international and a key procedural element. Mark Vinall takes us to Venezuela to discuss the Court of Appeal’s decision in Illiquidx Ltd v Atlanta Wealth Ltd. concerning the contractual construction of phrases with well-established market meanings such as, in this case, “public domain”. Drishti Suri keeps us in the Court of Appeal to look at their consideration in Kerish International Motors v Opel of what “national law” might mean in a contract in the context of the Government’s changing approach to the recognition of Palestine as a state and to what extent challenges to foreign law findings on appeal must be treated as questions of fact. Rayan Fakhoury speeds us off to Italy to update us on another recent consideration of principles of the comity of nations in the context of an application for pre-action disclosure – Robert Ebart v Ferrari. Is there also time for a Case of the Quarter? Of course there is. Peter Head brings us right back to England to look at a recent critical consideration of the law of causation and the procedural rules that apply to its pleading in Gallagher Benefit Services v Meagher. Andrew George KC directs your journey from the Chair.
Welcome to episode 35 of The Litigation Podcast. In this episode, Lord Burnett of Maldon presents highlights from Session 3 of the Public Law Conference 2026, with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Thomas de la Mare KC, Charlotte Kilroy KC and Naina Patel KC discussing the rule of law. If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 with Hanif Mussa KC, Tom Leary, Daniel Cashman, Flora Robertson & Rayan Fakhoury and Part 2 with Hanif Mussa KC, Iain Steele, Tom Coates, Rachel Jones & Tom Lowenthal.
Welcome to episode 34 of The Litigation Podcast. In this episode, Hanif Mussa KC presents recorded highlights from Session 2 of the Public Law Conference 2026. Tom Coates discusses interim relief in judicial review: principles and practice. Tom Lowenthal examines Duty of Candour. Iain Steele discusses the latest on delay. Rachel Jones discusses practice and procedure, with some updates from the Administrative Court. If you haven't already, listen to Part 1 with Hanif Mussa KC, Tom Leary, Daniel Cashman, Flora Robertson & Rayan Fakhoury and stay tuned for Part 3 with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Thomas de la Mare KC, Charlotte Kilroy KC & Naina Patel KC!
Welcome to episode 33 of The Litigation Podcast. In this episode, Hanif Mussa KC presents recorded highlights from Session 1 of the Public Law Conference 2026. Flora Robertson discusses automated decision making in public law. Daniel Cashman explores the availability and scope of judicial review of a public body’s private law decision-making. Rayan Fakhoury examines international Law and Judicial Review. Tom Leary discusses deference and Margin of Appreciation. Stay tuned for Part 2 with Iain Steele, Tom Coates, Tom Lowenthal & Rachel Jones and Part 3 with Sir Jeffrey Jowell KC, Thomas de la Mare KC, Charlotte Kilroy KC & Naina Patel KC!
The Blackstone Commercial Breakfast Briefing returns for its first outing of 2026. In this episode, Luka Krsljanin first takes an in-depth look at recent developments in primary, vicarious and accessory liability in the context of fraud claims. Keeping him company over the croissants, Antonia Eklund highlights the recent landmark decision in Municipo de Mariana v BHP & ors. (the Brazilian Dam case) whilst Grant Kynaston examines the significance of the Privy Council’s decision concerning the need for subjective awareness of representations in the tort of deceit - Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) v Ivanishvili & ors. Andrew George KC polices proceedings from the Chair.