The Strange Case of the Snail in a Bottle

The second episode in The Justice Files series was released on 9th November 2022.

The Justice Files Episode 2
(Time-Lock 2022)

“The Strange Case of the Snail in a Bottle” is the second of the series of films entitled The Justice Files, each focusing on cases that have become enshrined in the law of more than 60 countries. More than 300,000 law students study these cases every year.

The case involves the discovery of a partly decomposed snail in a ginger beer bottle being consumed in a cafe in Paisley, Scotland, by May Donoghue around 100 years ago.

The case went all the way to the House of Lords before Mrs Donoghue finally won her legal battle for damages in 1932.
Mrs Donoghue was awarded £200 in compensation, the equivalent of £7,400 today.
Her win was established as a legal case study and has been used in every court action where a person suffers injury or loss. Millions of damages actions around the world now regularly begin with the ruling in the Paisley snail case.

  • Released November 2022
  • Running Time 40mins approx.

Production Crew

Writer & DirectorHugh Janes
Editor & DirectorRob Giles
Produced byHugo de Rijke
Camera and CinematographyMichael Rogers
Sound and CinematographyAnthony Murphy-Jones
Assistant CameraMaychen Tyler-Blot
Assistant SoundJack Baker
Hair & MakeupYulia Weir
3D Animation & Special FXRob Giles
Hospitality          Fleur Ball

Cast

May DonoghueNatalie Mae
AliceAtlanta Bonet
William LeechmanKevin Johnson
Lord MoncriefDerek Frood
Morton/AdvocateHugo de Rijke
Normand/AdvocateJon Ward
StevensonJohn Horton
Doctor MacKayGeorge Mackay
Frankie MinghellaManny Pearce
Lord AtkinCharlie Coldfield 
Lord BuckmasterMike Terry
Lord MacMillanPhil Bates
Lord TomlinPiers von Berg
Lord ThankertonPaul Thompson
Bottle Factory WorkerSimon Franks
Godfrey LiddellHugh Janes