WordWave provides “invaluable” support at Polanski v Conde Nast

The company supplied its real-time reporting service at Polanski v Conde Nast, which was heard at the High Court during July.

Film director Roman Polanski took action against the publishers over an article that appeared in Vanity Fair magazine in 2002. He successfully applied for permission to give evidence in the case via video link from Paris.

With members of his legal team split between the French capital and London, maintaining communication and keeping everyone informed throughout the proceedings was a priority.

WordWave provided a live transcript to all parties, in Paris and at the High Court, allowing those taking part to see and annotate what was being said, as it was said. It also supplied an edited version of the transcript at the end of each day, helping legal professionals prepare for the next stage of the case.

However, other features of WordWave’s real-time provision also came into their own, with the team from its client Schillings using the instant messaging facility to relay information and instructions between France and the UK.

“It was invaluable,” says Gideon Benaim, Polanski’s solicitor. “In fact, it was our only method of communication between Paris and London while the court was sitting. We couldn’t have done without it.”

Schillings also asked WordWave to provide an audio feed between Paris and London, as a back up in case of problems with the separate video link.

Says Vicky Harris, WordWave’s Business Development Director: “This was an unusual case, but one for which our real-time service was perfect. When participants are all in one place, it can speed up court cases and other formal hearings – when they are at remote locations it can do much more, saving time and money and in this case, making proceedings possible.”

WordWave has provided its real-time service in courtrooms and at public inquiries all over the world, including the Hutton inquiry into the death of weapons expert David Kelly, the Harold Shipman inquiry and the Bloody Sunday inquiry in Northern Ireland.

To find out more about WordWave’s real-time service contact Vicky Harris on 020 7421 9276 or at vicky.harris@wordwave.co.uk

Links:
www.schillings.co.uk