Broadcast: News items

Michael Mansfield QC spoke to a packed-out lecture theatre on campus in April 2010, as part of the summer term series of Sussex Lectures

A 'radical' lawyer who has worked on some of the most high-profile legal cases in modern British history spoke on campus last week as part of the summer term series of Sussex Lectures. 

Michael Mansfield QC has represented, among others, Stephen Lawrence's family; Michael Barrymore at the Stuart Lubbock inquest; Barry George at the inquest into the death of Jill Dando; the 'Bloody Sunday' families; Arthur Scargill; Mohamed al-Fayed in the inquest into the deaths of his son Dodi al-Fayed and Diana, Princess of Wales; and the family of Jean Charles de Menezes. 

His Sussex Lecture on 29 April, 'Memoirs of a radical lawyer', was part of the lecture series on Issues in Criminal Justice, which saw Attorney General Baroness Scotland speaking on campus in February. This major new lecture series is a recent development for Sussex convened by Professor Stephen Shute, Head of the School of the Law, Politics and Sociology on behalf of the School.

Sue Hepburn is Development Officer in the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO), which organises the Sussex Lectures overall.  She said that the lecture, which was full to capacity, focused on the erosion of civil liberties and the expansion of the state in the UK. She said: "Michael Mansfield QC looked back on his long and distinguished career as a prominent civil rights lawyer. The talk was liberally illustrated with anecdotes and personal recollections and the resounding applause indicated how fascinated and engaged the audience were." 

Over 250 people attended the lecture, including students, faculty and prominent external guests. 

• A video of Michael Mansfield's lecture is now available to watch again. Videos of all the Sussex Lectures can be watched and downloaded at the Sussex Lectures web pages 

The Sussex Lectures, organised by DARO, are given by prominent visiting speakers and leading Sussex academics, and aim to illustrate the breadth and quality of research being conducted on campus. 

The lectures are free and open to all, but booking is essential. For more information go to www.sussex.ac.uk/newsandevents/sussexlectures 

The series continues on 10 May, with a lecture by Dr Jarod Roll on religion and black politics in the American South prior to the modern civil rights movement. 

To book, go to www.sussex.ac.uk/bookalecture 

The lectures on Issues in Criminal Justice have been made possible as a result of a generous bequest from the estate of Richard Headridge QC.