Contempt of Court Act 1981

Resumen

The Contempt of Court Act 1981 governs strict liability contempt — publications that create a substantial risk of serious prejudice to active court proceedings. It balances the right to a fair trial against freedom of the press, setting out when media reporting may be restricted and providing defences for fair and accurate reporting.

Puntos clave

• Strict liability rule: contempt regardless of intent (s.1)
• Applies only to publications creating substantial risk of serious prejudice (s.2)
• Proceedings must be 'active' — defined by schedules (Sch.1)
• Defence of innocent publication (s.3)
• Fair and accurate contemporaneous reporting defence (s.4)
• Discussion of public affairs defence (s.5)
• Sources protection — courts cannot require disclosure except in interests of justice (s.10)

Partes y secciones

Historial de enmiendas