The Shifting Sands of “Impact” in Law and Popular Culture – Some Reflections

Abstract Law is not a question of simple clear rules applied objectively. Traditional black letter law continues to be the main focus of legal studies. There are a number of areas which involve laws ending up being “bent out of shape”. “Rule distortion” happens where those involved in the justice system determine what issues are to be proceeded against. There are also important differences in how the law plays out depending on who is involved in making decisions. The politics of the judiciary has been an issue which has attracted attention both at the general and individual level. There is also the question of how the law is seen by those whom the law is intended to protect and serve and how they act accordingly. This latter issue is the one with which this article is concerned. It surveys the paths taken by those with an interest in these questions, particularly the author’s own efforts, and seeks to suggest directions for the future, given the changes in technology which have occurred in the 21 st century.