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Screen matters

22 October 2021 / John Cooper KC
Issue: 7953 / Categories: Features , Profession
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John Cooper QC casts a legal eye over this year’s BFI London Film Festival

The BFI London Film Festival returned this month in full throttle after last year’s COVID-19 affected event. Once again it will accurately predict the films which will make the headlines in the next 12 months and I was intrigued to be invited to reflect on the festival’s offerings this time around, with particular reference for NLJ to legal related subjects. Of course, the depiction of crime and how the criminal justice system works has always provided rich pickings for filmmakers and dishes out no end of opportunities for suspense and drama.

Hinterland

Hinterland left an indelible effect upon my senses. Not only was it a truly suspenseful story, it was filmed as if every frame was a sumptuously crafted portrait. Based around the serial killing of German soldiers returning from the First World War after two years in a Russian POW camp, two characters stand out who could probably demand a TV series of their own. Perg,

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NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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