Which court decided it?

High Court (Queen's Bench) in 2008. Neutral citation: [2008] EWHC 1777 (QB).

Why does it matter for UK journalists?

Private sexual activity in a private place = strong reasonable expectation of privacy. "Nazi" framing of the party was not established on the facts, so public-interest defence failed. Damages set as vindication of privacy, not simply compensation.

Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2008] EWHC 1777 (QB) — High Court (Queen's Bench), 2008

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

What the court held

Max Mosley won £60,000 damages after the News of the World published surreptitious footage from a private party. Eady J held that there was no genuine public interest and that private sexual activity in a private setting attracted a strong reasonable expectation of privacy.

Key rulings

Private sexual activity in a private place = strong reasonable expectation of privacy.
"Nazi" framing of the party was not established on the facts, so public-interest defence failed.
Damages set as vindication of privacy, not simply compensation.

Topics

PrivacySexual privacypublic-interest

Authoritative source

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

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2008/1777.html

Related landmark cases

Landmark caseCampbell v MGN Ltd [2004] UKHL 22Read →Landmark caseChesterton Global Ltd v Nurmohamed [2017] EWCA Civ 979Read →Landmark caseDouglas v Hello! Ltd [2005] EWCA Civ 595Read →Landmark caseMurray v Express Newspapers plc [2008] EWCA Civ 446Read →

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.