BBFC Could Take Manhunt 2 Case To High Court

Following the Video Appeals Committee to allow Rockstar's appeal of the British Board of Film Classification's Manhunt 2 ratings rejection, the BBFC has announced it is applying for a judicial review of the decision. The BBFC also seeks a suspension of the committee's decision that Manhunt 2 should receive a classification, saying the VAC's judgment "is based on an approach to harm which is an incorrect interpretation of the Video Recordings Act." After the BBFC's initial refusal to issue a rating on the game, Rockstar announced it would appeal the decision; it later suspended the appeal pending the BBFC's consideration of a revised version of the game, which was then also rejected. Recently, the VAC decided to overturn the BBFC's decision to deny the game a rating. The BBFC claims the judgment as it stands "would have fundamental implications" on all of its ratings decisions, including those that hinge on questions of "unacceptable levels of violence." Achieving a suspension of the VAC's decision would stall a classification for Manhunt 2 pending a judgment of the High Court.