Attorney General v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Anor

Attorney General v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Anor

The court imposed equal fines of £15,000 on each defendant, finding that both created a significant risk of prejudice by avoidable mistakes, and summarily assessed costs at £28,117.23 against the defendants as the taxpayer should not bear the expense of their errors.

Parties
Claimant: Her Majesty’s Attorney General; 1st Defendant: Associated Newspapers Ltd; 2nd Defendant: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
19 July 2011
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court Proceedings / Penalty and Costs Determination After Finding of Contempt
Outcome
Both defendants fined and ordered to pay costs.
Legal Topics
Publication of Prejudicial Material, Online Media Liability, Assessment of Penalties, Costs in Contempt Proceedings
Contempt of Court Media Law Publication of Prejudicial Material Online Media Liability Assessment of Penalties Costs in Contempt Proceedings

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Parties

Her Majesty’s Attorney General

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Ltd

1st Defendant

News Group Newspapers Ltd

2nd Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court Proceedings / Penalty and Costs Determination After Finding of Contempt

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the appropriate penalty for contempt committed by publication of prejudicial material online?
  2. 2 Should costs be summarily assessed and on what basis?

Ratio Decidendi

The court imposed equal fines of £15,000 on each defendant, finding that both created a significant risk of prejudice by avoidable mistakes, and summarily assessed costs at £28,117.23 against the defendants as the taxpayer should not bear the expense of their errors.

Court Disposition

Both defendants fined and ordered to pay costs.

Orders

  • Each defendant to pay a fine of £15,000 within 14 days.
  • Both defendants to pay the Attorney General’s costs summarily assessed at £28,117.23.