Hamlins’ Media team were once again successful in Court yesterday at the Pre-Trial Review in respect of the so-called “Big Ticket” Trial to take place from 4 February 2019. Hamlins are Lead Solicitor in the litigation. The February Trial will finally see the Court determine issues common to all claims relating to voicemail interception and unlawful information gathering at The Sun and The News of the World.

At yesterday’s Pre-Trial Review, the Court ordered, inter alia: –

• That NGN should disclose all emails sent and received by its director of legal affairs, Jon Chapman, within the 48 hour period from 6 January 2011. This Application relates to the Claimants’ case as to the deliberate concealment and destruction of evidence. Mr Justice Mann stated that the emails he ordered be disclosed could be potentially “very relevant” particularly in light of evidence previously put forward by Mr Chapman including to the police;
• That NGN should disclose invoices in relation to a US private investigator, Dan Hanks,  principally because this evidence could disprove the evidence of certain NGN witnesses to the effect that his work was lawful; and
• That NGN should disclose the full compromise agreements in relation to a number of former and current employees, including Rebekah Brooks, as this could shed light on the Claimants’ case as to the concealment and destruction of evidence and knowledge as to unlawful activities by its employees.

A further report of the Hearing can be found in The Guardian, 22 January 2019:

Phone hacking was widespread at the Sun, high court told