The Portuguese criminal justice system

• BBC Radio 4's Law In Action
• Tuesday 16 October 1600 GMT
• On Radio 4 and online

When reports of Madeleine McCann's disappearance from a holiday apartment in Portugal first broke in May, few could have anticipated just how huge the case would become.

But too often the distressing facts have been blurred by rumour and counter rumour in the media.

Misunderstandings about the Portuguese criminal justice system are now widespread and at times it's been difficult to know what to believe.

In today's programme we attempt to cut through the confusion and try to explain how the Portuguese criminal justice system actually works.

Those interviewed include:

• Dr Raul Soares De Veiga, criminal lawyer from Lisbon,
• Professor Nuno Garoupa, Professor of Law at the universities of Illinois and Manchester,
• Susie Allegre, barrister and consultant in extradition law,
• Catherine Wolthuizen, Chief Executive of Fair Trials International, formerly Fair Trials Abroad.

Extending the Age Discrimination laws?

The Employment Equality (Age) regulations are one-year-old.

Two weeks ago we looked at the impact the law has had on the workplace, and found that it's creating some considerable confusion and uncertainty.

But the government is also thinking of extending the law to other areas of life.

Would that be workable, even desirable?

Law in Action's reporter Ruth Alexander investigates.

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