High-Profile Group Challenges Judge's Dismissal of ANL Claims
Prince Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and others pursue Court of Appeal bid after initial claims were rejected and a substantial costs order was issued.
Carla Rooney
Prince Harry and Baroness Doreen Lawrence lead a high-profile group challenging a judge's rulings against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers Limited.
Court staff confirmed on Friday that the legal applications for permission to appeal have been officially filed. The appeal applications also target an indemnity costs order Mr Justice Nicklin handed down.
A spokesperson for the claimants stated, "We confirm that the claimants have today filed applications with the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal the judgments of Mr Justice Nicklin in respect of his dismissal of their claims and the indemnity costs order."
The claimants allege Associated Newspapers Limited engaged in unlawful information-gathering. Barristers for the group claim private investigators, freelance journalists, and ANL staff carried out acts including voicemail interception, landline tapping, and obtaining information by deception.
Lawyers for ANL, however, claim Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday journalists provided a compelling account of legitimate sourcing. This included friends, "leaky" social circles, press officers, spokespeople, previous reporting, freelance journalists, and stories from other newspapers and news agencies.
The claimants consider the judge's rulings legally and factually flawed. A spokesperson for the group asserted, "The claimants respectfully disagree with those unprecedented decisions, which they consider to be legally and factually flawed."
The claimants respectfully disagree with those unprecedented decisions, which they consider to be legally and factually flawed.
Mr Justice Nicklin ruled in August that the claimants must pay an initial contribution of £9,544,355 towards ANL's costs.