Stunt v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2018] EWCA Civ 1780 — Court of Appeal, 2018
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What the court held
The Court of Appeal considered the interaction between UK data protection (then DPA 1998, now DPA 2018) and the journalism exemption for personal data. Considered when a stay of a subject access request is appropriate pending publication.
Key rulings
- The DPA 1998 s.32 (now DPA 2018 s.174 / Schedule 2 Part 5) journalism exemption is central to publishability of investigative reporting.
- The court has jurisdiction to grant stays but must apply the statutory framework carefully.
- The regime balances press freedom (Art 10) with data subject rights.
Topics
Related cases (citator)
How this case connects to others in the landmark set — lines of authority, statutory supersession, and companion rulings.
- NT1 & NT2 v Google LLC [2018] EWHC 799 (QB)
Both concern data-protection rights against media / search actors.
Acts cited
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Data Protection Act 2018
Authoritative source
Read the full judgment on BAILII (British and Irish Legal Information Institute):
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2018/1780.htmlRelated landmark cases
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.