Which court decided it?

High Court (Divisional Court) in 2011. Neutral citation: [2011] EWHC 2074 (Admin).

Why does it matter for UK journalists?

Pre-trial character-assassination of an arrested but uncharged suspect can be contempt. Test: substantial risk that the course of justice in specific proceedings will be seriously impeded or prejudiced. Timing matters — coverage soon after arrest is highly sensitive.

Attorney General v MGN Ltd

[2011] EWHC 2074 (Admin) — High Court (Divisional Court), 2011

Last reviewed: 14 July 2026Next review due: 14 January 2027

What the court held

The Divisional Court fined the Daily Mirror and Sun £50,000 each for contempt of court over pre-trial coverage of Christopher Jefferies (later cleared) in the Joanna Yeates murder investigation. Confirmed the width of the s.2(2) Contempt of Court Act 1981 strict-liability rule during active proceedings.

Key rulings

Pre-trial character-assassination of an arrested but uncharged suspect can be contempt.
Test: substantial risk that the course of justice in specific proceedings will be seriously impeded or prejudiced.
Timing matters — coverage soon after arrest is highly sensitive.

Topics

Contempt of courtpre-trial-publicityStrict liability

Acts cited

Contempt of Court Act 1981

Authoritative source

Read the full judgment on BAILII (British and Irish Legal Information Institute):

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2011/2074.html

Related landmark cases

Landmark caseAttorney General v Yaxley-Lennon [2019] EWHC 1791 (QB)Read →Landmark caseHM Attorney General v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 418 (Admin)Read →

Case summaries are drafted by UK JournoHub Editorial for practising UK journalists. They are not legal advice. Always consult primary sources and, for high-risk stories, take specialist legal advice.