KB-2022-003316 - [2025] EWHC 1716 (KB)

The Claim Forms in each claim were issued on 6 October 2022.

The Defendant’s application for summary judgment, on the issue of limitation was dismissed, on 10 November 2023 ([2024] 1 WLR 3669) (“the Limitation Judgment”). The background to the Claimants’ claims is explained in the Limitation Judgment.

During 2024, there was a short hiatus, whilst the Claimants sought and obtained permission from the relevant Ministers to use in the litigation certain documents from the Leveson Inquiry, before the parties exchanged statements of case (including Rejoinders).

The first case management hearing took place on 26-27 November 2024. (“First CMC”). The Court set a timetable up to a trial – now listed for 9 weeks from 14 January 2026 – and dealt with costs budgeting ([2025] EWHC 106 (KB)). Further case management hearings were fixed for 6-7 May 2025 (“Second CMC”) and 1-2 October 2025 (“Third CMC”). A pre-trial review is fixed for 27 November 2025.

Between the First and Second CMCs, by 21 March 2025, the parties were ordered to provide disclosure. The Second CMC was specifically fixed to deal with (a) any issues arising from disclosure; and (b) amendments to the statements of case. To that end, the Order of 26-27 November 2024 (“the First CMC Order”) required the Claimants to provide any draft Amended Particulars of Claim by 17 April 2025, with any application for permission to amend being dealt with at the Second CMC. During the hearing, I made clear: “I’m imposing that deadline for the amended Particulars of Claim to bring some discipline to the process”.