Barrister Sarah Langford's memoir optioned for TV

Barrister Sarah Langford’s memoir will be adapted for TV by Working Title Television.

In Your Defence was snapped up by Transworld early last year and explores the criminal and family law specialist’s “most memorable cases”. Screen rights have now been bought by the British production company known for “Bridget Jones's Baby”, “Baby Driver” and “Hail, Caesar!”.

The rights were acquired from Jonathan Sissons at Peters Fraser and Dunlop (PFD).

In Your Defence “charts the professional anxieties and challenges that have defined [Langford] as a person, as well as a lawyer…from the young sex offender to bitter custody cases, she discusses and debates being an advocate for people during the most devastating moments of their lives”. The book “invites compassion and empathy as well as intrigue and drama”, according to a PFD spokesperson.

Langford described the optioning as “a pinch-me experience”. She said: “I know they are committed to making a show that is as authentic as it is gripping, and which can introduce people to the law whilst telling a really good story.”

Transworld’s publishing director, Susanna Wadeson, acquired the book from Nelle Andrew at PFD last year. It will be published in June 2018.