Britain's Supreme Court
HJA Human Rights Solicitor Jocelyn Cockburn and her client
Catherine Smith feature in More4 documentary tonight, 10pm
Tuesday 8th February 2011
Tonight,
the True Stories strand, which commissions and showcases the best
feature length documentaries from around the world, presents this
gripping documentary which charts the first year in the life of
Britain's new Supreme Court: the highest court in the land.
With unprecedented access we meet the judges, lawyers and
ordinary people whose cases will have a far-reaching effect on the
lives of people across the UK. For those bringing these
high-profile cases to court there is a lot at stake, and we
witness their hopes and fears as they and their legal teams come
face-to-face with the most powerful judges in the UK.
The judges have allowed proceedings to be filmed, and
uniquely we see justice unfolding before our eyes as the finest
legal minds in the country debate the key issues of our time.
We witness David and Goliath battles of individuals challenging the
state, the outcomes of which help to define the very nature of
society today.
The programme is produced and directed by Karen
Hamilton. It features the case run by Hodge Jones & Allen
solicitor,
Jocelyn Cockburn, on behalf of her client Catherine Smith
(R (Smith) v Secretary of State for Defence [2010] UKSC
29), which challenges whether soldiers on active service
outside the UK are entitled to the benefit of Convention rights
under the Human Rights Act 1998 where ever they are in the
world.
Reviews on Britain's Supreme Court programme
"The first year of Britain's Supreme Court is charted in an
excellent, eye-opening documentary..."
Telegraph
"This is a rare glance into the inner
workings of our justice system..." Times
"This important feature-length True Stories
film charts the first year in the life of Britain's new Supreme
Court.... " Observer
“There are big policy changing issues at
stake……but it is the little details….that make this so
compelling…..” Sunday Times