The defendant litigant had been found guilty of contempt in the face of court and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. The contemnor now sought to purge his contempt. Held: The sentence had been imposed as punishment and not to seek to enforce compliance with the order. As a result of his behaviour have had been … Continue reading Balli, Re Contempt of Court Act 1981 (No. 2): ChD 15 Jul 2011
The House had to consider whether a local valuation court was a court for the purposes of the powers of the High Court relating to contempt. Held: A body, which has a judicial function, was a court, whereas if it has an administrative function, albeit carried out judicially, it would not be a court. Lord … Continue reading Attorney General v British Broadcasting Council: HL 1981
(Mauritius) The applicant appealed three counts of contempt of court, arising from speeches made by him in the political debate. He had been a minister, but was subject to investigation for fraud. To found a appeal he had to show some blatant or significant disregard or breach of legal process, or injustice. The board do … Continue reading Badry v The Director of Public Prosecutions: PC 15 Nov 1982
The Claimant indicated that he had a disability in his ET1 and requested some adjustments including permission to use a recording device as his condition made it difficult for him to take contemporaneous notes. The Tribunal indicated that an application for permission should be made at the preliminary hearing although it was also stated that … Continue reading Heal v University of Oxford and Others (Practice and Procedure): EAT 16 Jul 2019
The claimant, the son of the leader of Libya, sought damages for defamation from the defendant for an article alleging his involvement in criminal activities. The defendant appealed orders striking out certain parts of his defence, and the claimant appealed orders leaving other parts in place. Was there a qualified privilege for the articles because … Continue reading Gaddafi v Telegraph Group Ltd: CA 28 Oct 1998
The plaintiffs claimed large-scale copyright infringement, and obtained Anton Pillar orders. The House considered the existence of the privilege against self-incrimination where the Anton Piller type of order has been made. The Court of Appeal had decided that the court should abstain from making an order ex parte requiring immediate answers to interrogatories or disclosure … Continue reading Rank Film Distributors v Video Information Centre: HL 1 Mar 1981
The basic rule is that anything said in open court may be reported. Withholding the name from the public during the proceedings will provide the basis for the making of an order under section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Citations: [1985] 1 WLR 708 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 11 Jurisdiction: … Continue reading Regina v Arundel Justices, Ex parte Westminster Press Ltd: 1985
The Association complained that an order preventing the naming of a defendant after his conviction so as to protect the identity of the complainant was made in excess of the court’s jurisdiction. Citations: [2012] EWCA Crim 2434 Links: Bailii Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 4(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime, Media Updated: 06 November … Continue reading Press Association, Regina (on The Application of) v Cambridge Crown Court: CACD 21 Nov 2012
In breach of a court order and reminders from the CPS the defendant newspapers published material severely critical of the defendant in a notorious murder trial after the jury had retired but before they returned all their verdicts. A retrial had been required. Held: ‘ this material went way beyond what the jury had been … Continue reading HM Attorney General v Associated Newspapers Ltd and Another: Admn 18 Jul 2012
(Court’s Martial Appeal Court) The newspaper appealed against an order under section 94 of the 1955 Act restricting the identification of the defendants. The judge had said there would be a threat to both the safety of the defendants and as to the administration of justice and national security. It was now accepted that the … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd and others v Soldier B: CACD 24 Oct 2008
Court to look first to prejudice then to openness when restricting court reports. Citations: Independent 28-Apr-1993 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 4(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.86318
The court considered the existence of a power in the magistrates court to order a hearing to be held in camera and referred to section 11 of the 1981 Act. Watkins LJ said: ‘However, I am bound to say that I am impressed with the argument that the action taken by the justices in the … Continue reading Regina v Evesham Justices, ex parte McDonnagh: QBD 1988
A had been chairman of the claimant bank. After removal, A fled to the UK, obtaining asylum. The bank then claimed embezzlement, and was sentenced for contempt after failing to disclose assets when ordered, but fled the UK. The Appellant, K, was A’s son-in-law living in Switzerland. It was claimed that he had assisted A … Continue reading JSC BTA Bank v Khrapunov: SC 21 Mar 2018
While the general rule is that a Court will not hear an application for his own benefit by a person in contempt unless and until he has first purged his contempt, there is an established exception to that general rule where the purpose of the application is to appeal against, or have set aside, on … Continue reading The “Messiniaki Tolmi”: CA 2 Jan 1981
The five applicants had lived in the UK for at least three years while attending school or college. All five were subject to immigration control, four had entered as students with limited leave to remain for the duration of their studies, and the fifth had entered with his parents for settlement and had indefinite leave … Continue reading Regina v Barnet London Borough Council, Ex parte Shah: HL 16 Dec 1982
Anonymised Party to Proceedings The BBC challenged an order made by the Court of Session in judicial review proceedings, permitting the applicant review to delete his name and address and substituting letters of the alphabet, in the exercise (or, as the BBC argues, purported exercise) of a common law power. The court also gave directions … Continue reading A v British Broadcasting Corporation (Scotland): SC 8 May 2014
When considering a complaint of contempt of court against a newspaper, it should be recognised that any criminal trial, by its very nature, causes all involved in it to become progressively more inward looking, with the capacity to study the evidence given and the submissions made in the courtroom, to the exclusion of other sources … Continue reading Attorney-General v News Group Newspapers Ltd: CA 1986
The risk of impediment or prejudice to a trial from a publication has to be assessed at the date of publication. ‘Substantial risk’ in section 2(2) means a risk which is more than remote. Lord Diplock said: ‘Next for consideration is the concatenation in the subsection of the adjective ‘substantial’ and the adverb ‘seriously,’ the … Continue reading Attorney-General v English: HL 1981
Mr Ballie, a former solicitor, was found guity of contempt in the face of the court and sentenced to six months imprisonment. It was said that he had continued to call himself a solicitor and had so practised after he had been struck from the Roll of Solicitors. Judges: Simon Barker QC J Citations: [2011] … Continue reading Balli (Also Known As Ravinder Singh), Re Contempt of Court: ChD 1 Jul 2011
Any assault on an officer whilst undertaking official duties is contempt even if assault not in court itself. Judges: Sir Richard Scott VC Citations: Times 27-Nov-1997 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Contempt of Court Updated: 18 July 2022; Ref: scu.81840
The defendants appealed convictions for contempt of court, on the basis of having wilfully interrupted the court. The respondent said that no appeal lay. Held: The statute was ambiguous, and ‘there can be no good reason why a person convicted under s.12 should not have a right of appeal against conviction as well as against … Continue reading Haw and Another v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: Admn 12 Dec 2007
The claimant sought judicial review of his conviction by the magistrates for contempt of court: ‘The Administrative Court office wrote to Mr Lane on 22nd November, almost a week ago, pointing out that the right of appeal against orders made under section 12 of the 1981 Act consists of a right of appeal to the … Continue reading Lane v Gloucester Magistrates Court: Admn 28 Nov 2006
Where a contemnor sould be fined but would be unable to pay a fine at the level thought appropriate, that was not a good reason to impose imprisonment. Citations: [2005] EWCA Civ 615, [2005] 2 FLR 1006 Links: Bailii Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 14.2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Crystal … Continue reading M (Children) (Contact Order): CA 11 Apr 2005
Complaint was made that an article was defamatory of the owner of Manchester United. The defendant now argued that the game was not worth the candle. The costs vastly exceeded any possible recovery, and it had openly offered vindication, and that the case had now become an abuse of process and should be stayed. The … Continue reading Adelson and Another v Associated Newspapers: QBD 19 Feb 2008
Application for injunction to restrain former employees now in competition from urging present employees to break their contracts. Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 596 Links: Bailii Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 4(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Torts – Other, Employment Updated: 11 June 2022; Ref: scu.270527
Lord Denning MR said that the Norwich Pharmacal case opened ‘a new chapter in our law’ and ‘Mr Irvine suggested this was limited to cases where the injured person desired to sue the wrongdoer. I see no reason why it should be so limited. The same procedure should be available when he desires to obtain … Continue reading British Steel Corporation v Granada Television Ltd: CA 7 May 1980
The defendant had repeatedly failed to obey orders for the production of documents made in the course of civil litigation proceedings. He was ordered to be committed to prison ‘until further order’ He appealed. Held: With regard to section 14, such an order was unlawful. A committal had to be for a definite period. Judges: … Continue reading Linnett v Coles: QBD 1986
The questions asked of a court when staying a criminal trial because of newspaper reporting, and when assessing a contempt of court, are different, and the stay of a trial need have no implication that a contempt has been committed. The strict liability rules did not help. Simon Brown LJ said: ‘It seems to me … Continue reading Attorney-General v Birmingham Post and Mail Ltd: QBD 31 Aug 1998
The court considered the effect of a jury trial in balancing pre-trial prejudicial publicity. Lord Taylor CJ said: ‘In determining whether publication of matter would cause a substantial risk of prejudice to a future trial, a court should credit the jury with the will and ability to abide by a judge’s direction to decide the … Continue reading Regina v Central Criminal Court ex parte The Telegraph Plc: CACD 1993
A ‘substantial risk’ in section 2(2) can means a risk which is ‘not insubstantial’. The test of ‘substantial risk’ and ‘serious prejudice’ are separate but overlapping. The degree of risk of impact of a publication on a trial and the extent of that impact may both be affected, in differing degrees according to the circumstances, … Continue reading Attorney-General v News Group Newspapers Ltd: CA 1987
The principles in American Cyanamid did not affect the rule in Bonnard v Perryman. Sir Denys Buckley saiod: ‘the question what meaning the words complained of bore was primarily one for the jury. Suppose the words bore the second meaning alleged and an injunction were granted restraining further publication, if application were made to commit … Continue reading Herbage v Times Newspapers Ltd: CA 30 Apr 1981
The court gave directions on how banks and other third parties were to respond to Mareva injunctions. The plaintiff had obtained orders against companies with bank accounts in England. The action was settled, but the banks sougfht clarification. Held: The application was dismissed. The injunction had been properly granted. An innocent third party had to … Continue reading Z Ltd v A-Z and AA-LL: CA 1982
The Attorney General sought an order of contempt of court at common law following the publication in the ‘New Statesman’ of a juror’s account of significant parts of the jury’s deliberations in the course of arriving at their verdict in the trial of the prominent politician, Jeremy Thorpe. Held: The application failed. The contents of … Continue reading Attorney General v New Statesman and National Publishing Company Ltd: 1981
A Crown Court judge’s decision to allow naming of a youth appearing before it, was a matter for the judge’s discretion, and was not susceptible to judicial review proceedings. Such orders are analogous to contempt orders, tending to influence the trial. Citations: Times 08-Jan-1999, Gazette 03-Feb-1999 Statutes: Children and Young Persons Act 1933 39(1), Contempt … Continue reading Regina v Winchester Crown Court ex parte P B (A Minor): QBD 8 Jan 1999
The court refused to make an order for costs against a non-party though he was interested in its outcome. Lord Abinger CB said: ‘If we were at liberty to consult equity and justice, we should probably make this rule absolute. But the authority of the courts at Westminster is derived from the Queen’s writ, directing … Continue reading Hayward v Giffard And Grove: Cex 1838
Lord Diplock discussed section 10 of the 1981 Act, saying: ‘The exceptions include no reference to ‘the public interest’ generally and I would add that in my view the expression ‘justice’, the interests of which are entitled to protection, is not used in a general sense as the antonym of ‘injustice’ but in the technical … Continue reading Secretary of State for Defence v Guardian Newspapers Ltd (Tisdall Case): HL 1984
A jury trial procedure for contempt would never be appropriate: ‘If the trial is to be by jury, the possibility of prejudice by advance publicity directed to an issue which the jury will have to decide is obvious. The possibility that a professional judge will be influenced by anything he has read about the issues … Continue reading in Re Lonrho Plc: HL 1989
The circumstances in which it is appropriate for a court to allow a name or other names to be withheld are rare. The Court cannot derogate from this principle for lesser purposes, including that of sparing the feelings of a defendant. Citations: [1988] 1 All ER 371, [1988] QB 540 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act … Continue reading Regina v Malvern Justices, Ex parte Evans: 1988
An option was granted to purchase the reversion conferred on the lessees under certain leases. The price was be not less than andpound;12,000, and it was to be fixed by valuers appointed by each party and default of agreement it was to be fixed by an umpire. The lessors refused to appoint a valuer. Held: … Continue reading Sudbrook Trading Estate v Eggleston: HL 1983
The mere fact that a child is known to be a ward of court is not sufficient to make any publication identifying the child a contempt of court. Judges: Booth J Citations: [1988] 1 All ER 418 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 12 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Kent County Council … Continue reading Re L (A Minor) (Wardship: Freedom of Publication): FD 1988
The defendant was to face trial under the 2006 Act. He applied for an order under section 4(2) of the 1981 Act postponing the reporting of the proceedings on the grounds that knowledge by the jury of the inquiry and police investigation would be prejudicial. Media organisations now applied for the order made to be … Continue reading Sarker, Regina v: CACD 13 Jun 2018
An application was made at this pre-trial review, by the claimants in two actions, where they had already obtained orders to preserve their anonymity, for orders protecting that anonymity under the defendant’s search engine. Judges: Nicklin J Citations: [2019] QB 344, [2018] EWHC 67 (QB) (Rev 3 Links: Bailii Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 … Continue reading NT1 v Google Llc: QBD 18 Jan 2018
The defendant was tried for causing grievous bodily harm. After a majority direction, the jury returned, finding him guity. When asked if this was ‘the verdict of you all’, the formean replied ‘Yes’. The day after, he wrote to the judge to say that it had in fact been a majority verdict. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Regina v Millward: CACD 7 Apr 1998
When the defendant charged with indecent assault was remanded on bail to await trial, the magistrate ordered that there should be no report of the proceedings at that stage because of the defendant’s concerns that publicity would lead to his being attacked; this would frustrate the administration of justice because he might no longer be … Continue reading Regina v Newtonabbey Magistrates Court Ex Parte Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd: CANI 27 Aug 1997
Justices to be slow restricting reports under 4(2) when powers used MCA 80 s8. Citations: Times 28-Jun-1994 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 4(2), Magistrates Courts Act 1980 8 Criminal Practice Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.86108
The newspaper challenged an order that the part of the defendant’s trial for rape which related to his character and history should be heard excluding the press. Held: The order stood. Clearly such an order could be made only after careful consideration, and was a metter of great sensitivity. The fact that some element might … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd v Abdulaziz: CACD 8 Jul 2016
Palmer was a witness to proceedings before a Magistrates’ Court. Whilst he and the defendant were waiting in the foyer outside the court for the magistrates to consider their decision Palmer threatened the defendant. He was charged with and convicted of a contempt, then sought to appeal. The crown court declined jurisdiction. He then sought … Continue reading Regina v Havant Justices ex parte Palmer: QBD 1985
The Court was asked whether the justices had had power under section 4(2) to impose reporting restrictions on committal proceedings pending the trial to which they related.. Held: They had. A premature publication in contravention of a postponement order under section 4(2) of which the publisher was aware is a contempt of court notwithstanding section … Continue reading Regina v Horsham Justices ex parte Farquharson: CA 1982
The Court had held, inter alia, that there had been a breach of Article 10 by reason of an injunction granted against Times Newspapers Limited in accordance with the English law of contempt of court but no breach of Article 14 (art. 14). During the proceedings on the merits, the applicants, without quantifying their claim, … Continue reading The Sunday Times v The United Kingdom (No 1): ECHR 6 Nov 1980
Ban on Prisoners talking to Journalists unlawful The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without undertakings from the journalists not to publish any element of the interview. … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for The Home Department Ex Parte Simms: HL 8 Jul 1999
The applicants were suspected of terrorist associations. Their bank accounts and similar had been frozen. They challenged the Order in Council under which the orders had been made without an opportunity for parliamentary challenge or approval. Held: The Orders must be set aside. ‘It is I think obvious that this procedure does not begin to … Continue reading A, K, M, Q and G v HM Treasury: Admn 24 Apr 2008
The claimant challenged the Order as regards the prescription of the morning-after pill, asserting that the pill would cause miscarriages, and that therefore the use would be an offence under the 1861 Act. Held: ‘SPUC’s case is that any interference with a fertilised egg, if it leads to the loss of the egg, involves the … Continue reading Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002
The defendant appealed against a sentenced for contempt of court. He said that the sentence should have been at worst an order for costs. He had been chairman of the claimant bank, and stood accused of fraud. Held: In some cases the sanction provides an incentive for belated compliance, because the contemnor may seek a … Continue reading JSC BTA Bank v Solodchenko and Others: CA 28 Oct 2011
The defendant had permitted a journalist to see documents revealed to her as in her capacity as a solicitor in the course of proceedings. Held: The documents were disclosed under an obligation to use them for the instant case only. That rule was imposed because ‘Discovery constitutes a very serious invasion of the privacy and … Continue reading Home Office v Hariette Harman: HL 11 Feb 1982
Need for clarity in Contempt Allegation The defendant appealed from his convictions for contempt of court, being said to have broadcast details of criminal prosecutions despite orders to the contrary. He argued that any failure of procedure was fatal to the prosecutions. Held: As to the first hearing and contempt finding, the appeal failed. As … Continue reading Re Yaxley-Lennon (Aka Tommy Robinson): CACD 1 Aug 2018
Ward has no extra privilege from Police Interview The court considered the need to apply to court in respect of the care of a ward of the court when the Security services needed to investigate possible terrorist involvement of her and of her contacts. Application was made for a declaration as to the need for … Continue reading Re A Ward of Court: FD 4 May 2017
The claimants sought damages from the defendants saying that they had been held and ill treated at various detention centres by foreign authorities, but with the involvement of the defendants. The defendants sought to bring evidence before the court as closed material, not to be seen by the claimants. Held: The court could make such … Continue reading Al Rawi and Others v The Security Service and Others: QBD 18 Nov 2009
The House was asked whether an action for unlawful means conspiracy was available against a participant in a missing trader intra-community, or carousel, fraud. The company appealed a finding of liability saying that the VAT Act and Regulations contained the entire regime. Held: Criminal conduct at common law or by statute can constitute unlawful means … Continue reading Total Network Sl v Revenue and Customs: HL 12 Mar 2008
In matrimonial proceedings, Mr L had defied a court order to pay redundancy and other money due to him into a solicitors’ joint account upon receipt, pending further order. Mr L received andpound;30,000, paid all the money into his own account, withdrew andpound;24,000, and claimed to have gambled that sum away. He was sentenced to … Continue reading Lightfoot v Lightfoot: CA 1989
Civil Search Orders possible The plaintiff manufactured and supplied through the defendants, its English agents, computer components. It had reason to suspect that the defendant was disclosing its trade secrets to competitors. The court considered the effect of a civil search order (as opposed to a criminal search warrant), where the court had in effect … Continue reading Anton Piller v Manufacturing Processes Ltd: CA 8 Dec 1975
No General Liability in Tort for Wrongful Acts The plaintiff had previously constructed an oil supply pipeline from Beira to Mozambique. After Rhodesia declared unilateral independence, it became a criminal offence to supply to Rhodesia without a licence. The plaintiff ceased supply as required, but complained that the defendants had continued to make supplies by … Continue reading Lonrho Ltd v Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (No 2): HL 1 Apr 1981
Limitation on Making of Anonymity Orders A firm of solicitors sought an order for anonymity in their proceedings against the LAB, saying that being named would damage their interests irrespective of the outcome. Held: The legal professions have no special part in the law as a party to entitle a court to allow a solicitors … Continue reading Regina v Legal Aid Board ex parte Kaim Todner (a Firm of Solicitors): CA 10 Jun 1998
Anonymity not to be by secret trial The newspaper appealed against an order for the defendant soldiers’ trial to be held in camera. Held: Section 94(2) could not be used to provide anonymity. The court relied on its common law powers under which: ‘for us to be entitled to make any order for anonymity for … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd and others v Regina and others: CMAC 24 Oct 2008
The defendant prison governor had intercepted a prisoner’s letter to the Crown Office for the purpose of raising proceedings to have the governor committed for an alleged contempt of court. Held: The governor was in contempt of court. Subject to any legislation altering the situation, a prisoner retains all his rights that are not taken … Continue reading Raymond v Honey: HL 4 Mar 1981
Police defendants not to have addresses withheld The defendants, senior police officers were accused of misconduct in public office, being said to have sought improperly to interfere in prosecutions for speeding. They appealed against refusal by the magistrates to have their addresses protected. Held: The appeal failed. The burden was on the claimants to establish … Continue reading Harper and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Aldershot Magistrates Court: Admn 8 Jun 2010
The Attorney General sought a finding of contempt against the defendant television company in respect of its reporting of a criminal trial. The defendant in the trial faced a charge of murder. The company broacast to the region on the morning of the . .
The appellants appealed against orders for delivery up of papers belonging to the claimant. The paper was a market sensitive report which had been stolen and doctored before being handed to the appellant.
Held: The Ashworth Hospital case . .
The court can order the identity of a wrongdoer to be revealed where the person against whom the order was sought had become involved in his tortious acts. This might apply even where the acts were unlawful, but fell short of being tortious. There . .
The respondent had been sentenced to two months imprisonment for breaches of orders under the Act. The wife appealed, seeking to increase the sentence. The maximum sentence was two years.
Held: The court had to consider such cases in the light . .
Complaint was made that defendant newspapers were to publish confidential medical records of doctors suffering Aids. An injunction was sought to prevent use of records given to a journalist by a hospital employee. The records related to doctors in . .
Challenge to a decision to discharge a reporting restriction order made under s.11 Contempt of Court Act 1981 that prohibited publication of the claimant’s address. . .
Whether the Crown Court was wrong in law to discharge a reporting restriction order prohibiting the reporting of the appellant’s home address in connection with criminal proceedings. . .
The court was asked whether disclosure should be ordered in the context of the statutory privilege which was created by s.10 of the 1981 Act. The publisher defendant had deposed that it would justify the material. At trial, however, the defence of . .
Whether a prisoner serving a sentence for contempt of court is subject to the same rules as to early release etc as other prisoners.
Held: ‘paragraph 5.2 of PSO 6300 is unlawful in so far as it purports to require, or is interpreted by the . .
References: [1981] 2 Lloyds Rep 595 Coram: Brandon LJ While the general rule is that a Court will not hear an application for his own benefit by a person in contempt unless and until he has first purged his contempt, there is an established exception to that general rule where the purpose of the application … Continue reading The ‘Messiniaki Tolmi’: 1981
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Approach to juror by Defendant’s lawyers liable to be a contempt of court. Citations: Ind Summary 29-Aug-1994 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 8 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.87333
Any passing of information about jury activities threatened the secrecy of the jury room, and was potentially in contempt. Citations: (1994) 98 Cr App R 216 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 8 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Regina v BM and Another CACD 9-Dec-1996 A message was offered to one of … Continue reading Regina v McLusky: CACD 1994
A message was offered to one of the solicitors acting for a defendant from a relative of a juror after the trial. Held: Rules against hearing of jury deliberations are wider than Contempt of Court Act. The court refused to commence any Young style investigation of the jury’s activities. The reasoning in Ellis v Deheer … Continue reading Regina v BM and Another: CACD 9 Dec 1996
The first applicant had been chairman of a jury and had expressed his concerns about their behaviour to the second applicant who published them. They were prosecuted under the 1981 Act. They had said that no details of the deliberations had been revealed and that the articles had been general in nature. The main concern … Continue reading Seckerson and Times Newspapers Ltd v The United Kingdom: ECHR 24 Jan 2012
The trial judge had directed his jury at a criminal trial: ‘You will make your decision about this case based solely upon the evidence which you hear during this trial, in this courtroom and upon nothing else. Most of us these days have access to the internet, it contains lots of fascinating information, some of … Continue reading Attorney General v Fraill and Another: Admn 16 Jun 2011
A member of the jury wrote to the judge saying that other members were failing to discharge their duties properly. Smith took a tactical decision not to seek a retrial. The judge saw counsel in chambers, after which the jury were reminded of their duties and left to their verdicts. The appellants said that steps … Continue reading Regina v Smith, Regina v Mercieca: HL 16 Feb 2005
A long hearing was to be interrupted by the long vacation. The Bank sought an order to restrict publication of the part evidence given by one witness until his evidence had been concluded. Held: Though the witness was only such and not a party, he had been centrally involved in the activities about which complaint … Continue reading Three Rivers District Council and others v The Bank of England: CA 14 Jul 2005
Enquiries as to jurors views were only to be conducted with the court’s consent. Citations: Times 26-Jul-1994 Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 8 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 20 May 2022; Ref: scu.87332
The defendants appealed against their convictions for conspiracy in have combined to put into the human food chain poultry meat which had been condemned as unfit. The jury after retiremen had indicated that they had reached agreement on some charges, but wanted guidance on the rest. They were called into court and gave verdicts which … Continue reading Regina v Tantram; Regina v Bibby etc: CACD 24 May 2001
Following the acquittal of a prominent politician on a charge of conspiracy to murder, the New Statesman magazine published an article, based on an interview with one of the jurors, which gave an account of significant parts of the jury’s deliberations. It was submitted on behalf of the publisher, the editor and the journalist that … Continue reading HM Attorney-General v Associated Newspapers Ltd and Others: HL 4 Feb 1994
A newspaper was held to have been in contempt of court for publishing details of the deliberations of a jury, even though it had not solicited the information. Beldam LJ said of the word ‘disclosure’: ‘It is a word wide enough to encompass the revealing of the secrets of the jury room by a juryman … Continue reading HM Attorney General v Associated Newspapers Ltd and Others: QBD 9 Dec 1992
Following a trial, a juror wrote to the defendant’s mother to say that other jury members had not considered the case in a proper manner. He had been given written advice that he was not free to discuss a case with anyone. He appealed his conviction for contempt of court, saying that his intention had … Continue reading Attorney General v Scotcher: HL 19 May 2005
Jury Consulting Ouija Board – Serious Irregularity It had been suggested that during their overnight stay in a hotel after retiring to consider their verdict, some of the jurors had consultated an ouija board to consult with the deceased, and to ask him who had been his killer. Having believed that contact had been made, … Continue reading Regina v Young (Stephen): CACD 30 Dec 1994
The first defendant had been foreman of a jury in a criminal trial. He was accused of disclosing details of the jury’s votes and their considerations with concerns about the expert witnesses to the second defendant. The parties disputed the extent of disclosure required to amount to an offence. Held: There was no place for … Continue reading HM Attorney General v Seckerson and Times Newspapers Ltd: Admn 13 May 2009
Juror’s use of Facebook was contempt The court considered whether a juror had committed contempt of court. She had communicated with a defendant via Facebook, despite explicit warnings not to use the internet. Held: Both juror and defendant in the trial had committed contempt of court and were sentenced accordingly. The defendant juror said that … Continue reading Attorney General v Fraill and Another: CACD 16 Jun 2011
In a case where a contemnor not only fails wilfully and contumaciously to comply with an order of the court but makes it clear that he will continue to defy the court’s authority if the order should be affirmed on appeal, the court must have a . .
In each of three cases, the former defendants sought leave to bring claims for contempt of court in respect of what it said were fraudulent claims by the respondents. The defendants argued that a party had first to go to the Attorney General. Held: ‘Notwithstanding the language of Rules 32.14 and 31.23 and, in particular, … Continue reading Barnes (T/A Pool Motors) v Seabrook and Others: Admn 23 Jul 2010
The court addressed the principles upon which a Court will grant interlocutory injunctive relief in harassment cases. Held: Both the High Court and the County Court had jurisdiction under the 1981 and 1984 Acts to grant interlocutory injunctions in wide terms to restrain conduct that was not in itself tortuous or otherwise unlawful, if such … Continue reading Burris v Azadani: CA 27 Jul 1995
A County Court judge has no power to imprison a contemnor pending a sentence decision. Time spent in custody awaiting trial for contempt would not automatically be set off against the final sentence. Proceedings for contempt can be restored after sentence so that consideration could be given to whether the contemnor had purged his contempt. … Continue reading Delaney v Delaney: CA 2 Nov 1995
To be caught under the Act the risk of prejudice to a trial caused by a publication alleged to be in breach must be practical and not theoretical. Judges: Mann LJ Citations: [1992] 1 WLR Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – HM Attorney General v Express Newspapers … Continue reading Attorney-General v The Guardian: CA 1992
The BBC sought leave to appeal against an order following the conviction by a jury of the defendant on drugs charges and his pleas of guilty on the counts of various types of fraudulent activity. The judge’s order, made under section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 prohibited the reporting of any of … Continue reading Lees, Regina v: CANI 6 Apr 2001
Claim in defamation, misuse of private information and harassment against the three defendants – allegation f rape and sexual assault – two applications: i) An application by the first and second defendants by which they seek to lift their own anonymity as defendants in these proceedings; and ii) An application by the claimant for a … Continue reading CWD v Nevitt and Others: QBD 21 May 2020
The Claimant seeks damages from the Defendant for alleged professional negligence in the conduct of certain legal proceedings commenced in 2014 and 2015. These proceedings, comprising a claim in the Employment Tribunal, a petition under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006 and a further claim for damages in the High Court, were for the … Continue reading ABC v Shulmans Llp: ComC 25 Sep 2019
Judges: Lady Justice Andrews and Mr Justice Cavanagh Citations: [2022] EWHC 2832 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Senior Courts Act 1981 42 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice, Contempt of Court Updated: 17 November 2022; Ref: scu.682832
