Plans announced in September 2011 by the Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke to allow television news filming in UK law courts has led to speculation within the public relations industry about the likely increased involvement of PR specialists in advising clients and legal professionals.

In order to gauge the impact of these changes, Cardiff will host a symposium on March 1st to debate and discuss the potentially fundamental changes that face the UK’s legal and public relations industries.

The debate will ask if conveying the complexities of legal cases within the compressed timeframe of mainstream television news is possible without the risk of sensationalism by the media and also address the increased public scrutiny of legal professionals and the opportunity for those who can provide pithy sound-bites opportunities to enhance their reputation.

The event will see a panel of experts offer their vision of the future and how it will be shaped and influenced by those that stand to gain or lose from the changes.

Cardiff University's Professor Duncan Bloy, an expert in media law, will chair proceedings. He will be joined by Melanie Riley of Bell Yard, a leading litigation PR firm, Simon Bucks, Associate Editor Sky News and barrister for Gerry and Kate McCann, Angus McBride of Kingsley Napley completing the panel.

The event will also launch a new Research Centre within the School dealing with public relations and global communications issues.

Each panellist will give a 15-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
The Legal Communications Symposium will take place in Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies’ Bute Building in the Birt Acres lecture theatre.

Refreshments will be available from 5:30PM, with proceedings starting at 6:00PM prompt. The event is scheduled to conclude at 7:45PM.