An Afternoon of Medicine, Law, Ethics and Popular Culture: The Children Act. With discussant Alex Ruck-Keene KC (Hon)

Please note this event is only open to members of Durham University due to copyright issues - we will be showing the film for educational purposes. 

10 January, 2024

2-5.00 pm

PCL048 - Hogan Lovells Lecture Theatre, Durham Law School

We will be screening The Children Act, the film based on Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name. Seen from the perspective of a high court judge, the film depicts the famous case of Re E which centred upon the extent to which a mature minor could refuse life-sustaining medical treatment (a blood transfusion) on the basis of his faith.
You can view the trailer below.

Following the film Alex Ruck-Keene KC (Hon) (39 Essex Chambers ) will act as discussant, leading discussions of the issues raised.

Refreshments will be provided.

This is a free event open to all members of Durham University, but registration is required using a Durham University email address. 
Contact: Sam Halliday 

Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) is an experienced barrister, writer and educator. His practice is focused on mental capacity, mental health and healthcare law, appearing in cases involving these issues up to and including the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.   He also writes extensively, editing and contributing to leading textbooks and is the creator of the website Mental Capacity Law and Policy.  Alex is also a Visiting Professor at King’s College London, a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London and a Research Affiliate at the Essex Autonomy Project, University of Essex.   He is currently a consultant to the Law Commission’s Disabled Children’s Social Care project, having most recently prior to then been the specialist adviser to the Joint Committee of Human Rights’ 2021-2022 inquiry into human rights in the care setting.   In March 2022, Alex was made an honorary QC (now KC), reflecting his contributions to mental capacity and mental health law outside the court room.