Tree of Liberty (6 Parts)

Synopsis

In each programme the presenter outlines areas of concern in British law as applied in the 1980s by presenting a case for law reform. He draws on case law and eminent lawyers to support his argument on each subject. In the second part of each programme his introduction and proposed reform is debated by a panel of experts.
1: Explains privacy and examines ‘bugging’, telephone tapping and the collection of information in data banks. The discussion is among Norman Lindop, Lord Hooson QC, and Mark Carlisle QC MP.
2: Geoffrey Robertson argues that the liberties which Britons enjoy today were largely won by political protest. There are no ‘rights’ to demonstrate and protestors have found themselves increasingly threatened by ‘blanket’ bans by the authorities which have prevented many innocuous groups from mounting protests. Lord Scarman gives his views on how the law could be reformed. The discussion is among Professor Ronald Dworkin, John Hazan QC and Peter Hain.
3: What happens when a person is ‘picked-up’ by the police? What rights does he have? Can he demand to see his solicitor? Is he allowed the ‘one telephone call’? The programme discusses the protection which the law gives the suspect. Lord Salmon, a recently retired judge, looks at the problems from a judge’s point of view. The discussion is among Richard DuCann, Diany Hayter, and Chief Superintendent John Keyte.
4: The Magna Carta promised a suspected criminal ‘trial by his peers’ yet 98% of the people charged with offences are tried in the magistrates court. Many of them have no option of being tried by a jury. Those who are tried by jury can wait up to a year for their case to come up at the Crown Court. Looks at the discrepancies in the courts’ treatment of offenders, jury-vetting, the haphazard granting of legal aid and the lack of redress for those wrongly convicted. The discussion is among Lord Hutchison QC, Ole Hansen and Tom Sargant.
5: Government secrecy and the public’s right to know. Richard Crossman called this obsession with secrecy the ‘British disease’. Examples of censorship in the printed word, film and television are given. Argues that the canvas of controls over the media is vast; there is no presumption in law for press freedom so the tendency of the judiciary is to impose restrictions. Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act was recommended for alteration by the Franks Committee over 10 years ago but no change has been made. Argues that secrecy is counter to the democratic process and Britain lags behind other nations in development of open government.The discussion is among Janet Morgan, Louis Blom-Cooper and James Michael.
6: Argues that civil rights in Britain could be better protected in law bringing British law into line with the European Convention on Human Rights. Where there is concentration of power there is needed some control to prevent its abuse. Examples are cited where individuals have been victimised for actions regarded as lawful under the European Convention on Human Rights. Issues arising from previous programmes in the series are discussed. The second-half discussion is among Niall Macdermot, Patricia Hewitt and Lord Wade.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. U-matic, VHS. col. 6 x 45 min.

Year of production

1982

Availability

Hire

Notes

AVRC tape comprises part 3.

Uses

Undergraduate students of law and politics*

Subjects

Law; Politics & government

Keywords

courtroom procedures; freedom of information; human rights; legal issues; police forces; political demonstrations

Credits

Producer

Michael Ryan

Cast

Geoffrey Robertson
Gus Macdonald

Sections

Title

Privacy

Synopsis

1: Explains privacy and examines 'bugging', telephone tapping and the collection of information in data banks. The discussion is among Norman Lindop, Lord Hooson QC, and Mark Carlisle QC MP.

Title

Protest

Synopsis

2: Geoffrey Robertson argues that the liberties which Britons enjoy today were largely won by political protest. There are no 'rights' to demonstrate and protestors have found themselves increasingly threatened by 'blanket' bans by the authorities which h

Title

Arrest

Synopsis

3: What happens when a person is 'picked-up' by the police? What rights does he have? Can he demand to see his solicitor? Is he allowed the 'one telephone call'? The programme discusses the protection which the law gives the suspect. Lord Salmon, a recent

Title

Fair trial

Synopsis

4: The Magna Carta promised a suspected criminal 'trial by his peers' yet 98% of the people charged with offences are tried in the magistrates court. Many of them have no option of being tried by a jury. Those who are tried by jury can wait up to a year f

Title

Secrecy

Synopsis

5: Government secrecy and the public's right to know. Richard Crossman called this obsession with secrecy the 'British disease'. Examples of censorship in the printed word, film and television are given. Argues that the canvas of controls over the media i

Title

Rights

Synopsis

6: Argues that civil rights in Britain could be better protected in law bringing British law into line with the European Convention on Human Rights. Where there is concentration of power there is needed some control to prevent its abuse. Examples are cite

Production Company

Name

Granada Television

Web

http://www.granadamedia.com External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7734 8080

Fax

020 7494 6280

Address

Non-Theatric Sales
36 Golden Square
London
W1R 4AH

Distributor

Name

Higher Education Film & Video Library

Email

services@bufvc.ac.uk

Web

http://bufvc.ac. External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7393 1503

Fax

020 7393 1555

Address

c/o British Universities Film & Video Council
77 Wells Street
London
W1T 3QJ

Notes

Catalogue available from British Universities Film & Video Council.