Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 4

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This is the fourth thread discussing the case Prince Harry (and 6 others) brought against the Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Limited; ANL) for alleged unlawful information gathering (UIG).

The claimants are: Prince Harry (PH); Doreen Lawrence (DL); Liz Hurley (EH/LH); Elton John (EJ); David Furnish (DF); Simon Hughes (SH); Sadie Frost (SF).
They are represented by David Sherborne (DS).
The defendant (ANL) is represented by Anthony White (AMW).

The threads to date have been thorough discussions of the evidence (so far as we were able to obtain it), with posters giving links and explaining their views. We have mostly kept things civil by avoiding partisan discussions on specific Royal Family members, and trying not to be derailed from the topic of court proceedings.
The case has concluded and we are now awaiting the judgement from Judge Nicklin.

We have also included (when things slowed with the title case) other cases or discussions with a specific theme of free speech/press freedom, particularly when related to those with money or power preventing others from speaking.

One current ongoing case is that involving @GwendolineFairfax8 - some details towards the end of thread 3.
The case is in court this week and is likely to be reported on at the end of the week.

Links to previous threads

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

There was limited direct reporting from court after the celebrities gave evidence; what there we followed on this link
Sky news link to court case

Of all the 365 days in the year is it just a coincidence that this judgement drops in the week H&M & family strut into the UK after 4 years to flounce about in a series of public engagements? Or was someone having fun with the timing?

I think it is just the latest in a long line of terrible timings for Harry that started with him exiting his job for lucrative new pastures, just as Covid shut everything down.

I doubt anyone in the over burdened court system gave Harry's diary a thought.

I don't know, Twisterr, but if the judgement isn't to his liking he could always claim - and probably would - that the timing was deliberate

Or that his DF should have stepped in and fixed it.

I wonder if he Chris Ship lined up to do the poor me interview ?

Probably he’s the only one with any sympathy left I think.

It is my birthday month. My birthday wish is for a disbarment and/or a perjury charge.

Mine and my sons too! , I will add our wishes to yours!

Someone hinting that they can breach the strict court embargo? Seriously, that’s not cool.

What I was going to say - the timing of the judgment’s release will almost certainly be coincidental. And don’t assume Harry has actually been told the outcome. If the court thinks the confidentiality of a draft judgment may not be respected they are perfectly able to say that only the barristers will get advance warning of the outcome (eg the Article 50 Brexit case) or not give out a copy in advance at all (the Supreme Court did this last year in a banking case)

I have no knowledge of the judgement - none whatsoever and if I did, as you have correctly pointed out, it is under strict embargo. So I am not really sure what you are getting at here, but it’s totally incorrect

If you read my posts it has nothing to do with supposedly breaching a court embargo!! That’s a serious allegation and I am unsure why it was assumed.

I’m sorry what?! I am connected but have no idea of the judgement

My birthday month too - joining in ☺️

Surely the HAM’s head of comms setting up a what’s app group with journalists inc DM journalists, totally undermines his case? Can the judge reference this in his verdict?

I guess it’s too late for the judge to include it in his verdict, but maybe if there is an appeal it could be used as further proof they cannot exclude leaks from inside Harry’s team being the source of information rather than unlawful information gathering. But maybe if it isn’t part of the original case, it cannot be used in an appeal, but it certainly further undermines Harry’s credibility.

Would be interested to hear from someone with a legal background.

As a side note ….. The hypocrisy of Harry & Meghan setting up a WhatsApp group of favourite journalists to personally feed information to, having complained about the Royal Rota for years, another example of their manipulation.

It's my birthday this month as well.

I'll take the same birthday gifts.

Happy birthday to all those with a birthday this month, 🎁🎉

Don’t assume Harry has actually been told the outcome. If the court thinks the confidentiality of a draft judgment may not be respected they are perfectly able to say that only the barristers will get advance warning of the outcome (eg the Article 50 Brexit case) or not give out a copy in advance at all (the Supreme Court did this last year in a banking case)

Yet another thhing I've just learned - thanks, @Serenster

Roll on Tuesday; I realise it's not guaranteed to be then, but believe the date came from Reuters, and among the media that's about as good as it gets

Yes, I love learning things on this thread - thanks @Serenster.

Apologies if I misread you AgileRobin, but you published the above link saying when the judgment would be released and then followed up by saying:

”Tuesday cannot come fast enough, I so wish I could reveal who I was but I can’t”

…which I read as you very much looking forward to the decision being released (but we have no idea which way the decision will go), and suggesting you are someone connected to the case.

That read to me like you are suggesting you are within the embargo group. As I said,apologies if that was not what you meant.

I explained the whole case to my DB yesterday. He admitted it would make a good Netflix series. However, he expressed concern for Harry's judgement and felt the RF should do an intervention.

Anyone spotted the comment in The Telegraph just now that PH will do a victory speech even if only one of the 14 claims is upheld? Could that be a clue?

“If he wins on just one of the 14 articles comprising his claim against Associated Newspapers Limited, he will deliver a victory speech from an as yet undisclosed location.”

I saw that. Looks like he won one. Probably the flight details. I don't think that's enough for a victory speech but when has that ever stopped Team Sussex?

I’m no legal eagle so I searched to see under these circumstances who would be liable to pay the legal expenses. From what I found ANL would be reasonable for the 1 won and H the 13 lost. If that’s the case it’s not much of a win.

If he does a victory speech after winning one and losing 13, he’ll look like a giant dickhead - that’s not fooling anyone.

I appreciate looking like a dickhead doesn’t normally stop him, but this would be off the scale 😂😂😂