The Duke of Sussex is set to appear at the High Court in London next week to give evidence in a major privacy lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
A High-Profile Legal Battle
Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants, including Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost, David Furnish, and former Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes, initiated legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) in October 2020. They allege the publisher engaged in a range of unlawful activities over nearly two decades.
The claimants contend that between 1993 and 2011, ANL hired private detectives to commit serious breaches of privacy. The alleged acts include the placement of listening devices inside cars, the use of deception to obtain private records—a practice known as "blagging"—and the unlawful interception of private telephone conversations. The information sought reportedly included sensitive flight details and confidential medical records.
The Upcoming Trial and Witnesses
A draft trial timetable indicates that Prince Harry is expected to spend a full day giving evidence from the witness stand next Thursday. The trial itself, scheduled to last nine weeks, is due to commence on Monday. Sir Elton John, Baroness Lawrence, and Ms. Hurley are also anticipated to testify during the proceedings.
Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday, and MailOnline, has vehemently denied all allegations. The publisher has previously described the claims as "preposterous smears."
Pre-Trial Legal Skirmishes
A hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday dealt with several outstanding issues ahead of the trial. The claimants' legal team, led by David Sherborne, challenged specific wording in ANL's proposed opening arguments related to an alleged "scheme of camouflage."
During the hearing, it emerged that ANL's lawyers have made what were described as "serious allegations" of dishonesty and fraud against some representatives within the claimants' legal team. In written submissions, Mr. Sherborne argued these allegations of "fraud, dishonesty and professional misconduct" were exceptionally serious and could not be introduced merely as assertion.
Antony White KC, representing ANL, told the court the submissions were an "attack" on the credibility of some witnesses, stating, "It is not necessary to plead a case if the other side's witnesses are not telling the truth."
Presiding judge Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that ANL's trial opening note must be amended. He stated that the alleged camouflage scheme "goes far further than an attack on credibility" and that fairness required the defendant to seek to amend its defence. Mr. White agreed to condense the claims in the opening note. The preliminary hearing concluded on Thursday.
