Category : Radio
4; News
Date : 19.03.2004
Printable version
The new presenter
of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4's Law in Action will be Clive Coleman, a barrister,
former law lecturer and the writer of radio and television comedies
and drama.
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He replaces Marcel Berlins, who is leaving Law
in Action after 15 years as presenter.
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Helen Boaden, the Controller of Radio 4, said: "Over many
years, Marcel has brought great authority and passion to the programme
combined with real wit and insight.
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"We wish him well and welcome Clive Coleman who
comes with a distinguished pedigree as a barrister and writer."
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Charles Sigler, for many years series producer of Law
in Action, said: "Marcel has not only been the distinctive voice
of Law in Action for 15 years, he's also been its inspiration –
and incidentally great fun to work with.
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"It's because he cares so much about the law that
– week after week - he's been able to examine it, criticise it,
laugh at it and above all explain its inner workings to a generation
of listeners.
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"For them, Marcel's has always been a voice to
trust."
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Marcel will present his last edition of the programme
on 26 March.
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Clive will take over when Law in Action - which is
produced by the Radio Current Affairs department of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News - returns
for its summer series on 28 May.
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Clive Coleman was called to the Bar in 1986 and was
a full-time barrister for four years before moving to the Inns of Court
School of Law, where he taught aspiring barristers as Senior Lecturer
then as Principal Lecturer.
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He devised and wrote the legal comedy series Chambers,
which ran for three series on Radio 4, and then transferred to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE
for two series.
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He has also written for, and worked as a legal consultant
on, the ITV police drama The Bill.
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For the past six years he has combined his writing
work with a career as an after-dinner and conference speaker to a range
of organisations including law firms, the Association of Chief Police
Officers Homicide Working Group, The Police Standards Unit at The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
Office and The London Solicitors' Litigation Association.
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Although Clive is a newcomer to radio presenting, he
has already contributed to Law in Action and to other Radio 4 programmes.
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He said: "I'm really excited to be taking over
the presenter's role on Law In Action.
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"Marcel and the team have made the programme an
authoritative and informative guide for people who use the legal system
and for those who practise in it.
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"It's great to have the chance to build on Marcel's
outstanding work."
