The claimant sought the defendant be found guilty of contempt. She had formally undertaken to the court not to say anything defamatory of him, but now admitted being co-signatory to a letter from the Labour Party which she accepted was such. She sought an adjournment to allow her to get legal assistance.
Held: ‘it is an exceptional course for the court to accept admissions of guilt of what is approaching a criminal offence from an unrepresented litigation. I have concluded that this is a case where the court should do that. Ms Khan is evidently a well-educated woman with experience of courts who has had plenty of notice of the allegations against her, and an ample opportunity to seek legal representation and arrange a defence.’ The contempt was found.
Judges:
Warby J
Citations:
[2018] EWHC 780 (QB)
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
contempt of Court
Updated: 13 April 2022; Ref: scu.609109
