Mirror Group Newspapers Faces 101 Lawsuits Over Phone Hacking Involving Celebrities and High-Profile Figures.
Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), the publisher behind popular tabloids like the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and Sunday People, is currently facing 101 lawsuits related to phone hacking.
These lawsuits involve high-profile public figures, including actors Kate Winslet, Sean Bean, Gillian Anderson, and the estate of the late Australian cricketer Shane Warne, as revealed in London’s High Court on Wednesday.
MGN, now owned by Reach, has been embroiled in a legal battle for over a decade due to allegations of phone hacking and other illicit methods of information gathering.
While the publisher has admitted to unlawful information gathering at its publications in the early 2000s, the case continues to unfold with significant consequences for both MGN and those affected by the practices.
Legal Background and High-Profile Cases
Among the most notable cases is that of Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles, who was awarded £140,600 (approximately $178,000) after the High Court found that MGN journalists had targeted him.
This ruling marked a significant victory in Prince Harry's ongoing campaign to reform the British press. Following this ruling, Prince Harry settled the remainder of his lawsuit with MGN but has vowed to continue his fight for justice, with a trial against Rupert Murdoch's British newspaper division scheduled for January.
However, not all cases have been successful. Following Harry’s win, two claimants’ lawsuits were dismissed because they were filed too late, with the High Court indicating that lawsuits filed after October 2020 are likely to be dismissed unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The Ongoing Lawsuits and Future Trials
The 101 lawsuits currently filed against MGN include claims from other high-profile individuals, such as Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry’s former girlfriend.
During Wednesday’s hearing, lawyers representing the claimants highlighted the ongoing nature of these legal battles.
MGN has requested a trial in late 2025 to assess whether some of these lawsuits were filed outside the permissible time frame.
The company believes this trial could potentially lead to a settlement for some of the ongoing disputes. Judge Timothy Fancourt agreed, stating that such a trial would expedite the resolution of these cases, with a likely date for the trial in November 2025.
MGN’s Response and Legal Strategy
In response to the ongoing lawsuits, an MGN representative stated, “Where historical wrongdoing took place, we apologise unreservedly, have taken full responsibility and paid compensation.” Despite this acknowledgment, the company continues to face legal challenges from victims of phone hacking and other illegal information-gathering methods.
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