HM Attorney General v MGN Ltd & Anor [2011] EWHC 2383 (Admin) (29 July 2011)

HM Attorney General v MGN Ltd & Anor [2011] EWHC 2383 (Admin) (29 July 2011)

The publications by the defendants created substantial risks to the administration of justice by vilifying an arrested individual, constituting contempt of court under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The fines reflect the gravity and aggravating features of the contempt.

Citation
[2011] EWHC 2383 (Admin)
Parties
Claimant: Her Majesty's Attorney General; First Defendant: MGN Limited; Second Defendant: News Group Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 July 2011
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court Proceedings / Judgment and Sentencing
Outcome
Defendants found in contempt of court and fined.
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court by Publication, Risk to Administration of Justice, Vilification of Arrested Persons, Fines for Contempt, Apology and Mitigation
Media Law Criminal Law Contempt of Court Contempt of Court by Publication Risk to Administration of Justice Vilification of Arrested Persons Fines for Contempt Apology and Mitigation

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Parties

Her Majesty's Attorney General

Claimant

MGN Limited

First Defendant

News Group Newspapers Limited

Second Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court Proceedings / Judgment and Sentencing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the publications by the defendants constituted contempt of court under the Contempt of Court Act 1981
  2. 2 Whether the risk to the administration of justice was substantial
  3. 3 Appropriate penalty for contempt

Ratio Decidendi

The publications by the defendants created substantial risks to the administration of justice by vilifying an arrested individual, constituting contempt of court under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The fines reflect the gravity and aggravating features of the contempt.

Court Disposition

Defendants found in contempt of court and fined.

Orders

  • MGN Limited fined £50,000.
  • News Group Newspapers Limited fined £18,000.