Prince Harry received a major setback as the trial in the case of his legal claim against the publishers of 'The Sun' over allegations of unlawful information gathering will not begin before January 2025. He has accused the journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publishers of 'The Sun' and the now-defunct 'News Of The World of targeting him.
The Duke of Sussex has sued the NGN over alleged invasions of privacy by its tabloids. It is one of four cases that the 39-year-old prince is pursuing at the High Court against British publishers.
The case against NGN was expected to go for trial in January next year after a judge ruled in July that his claims of «blagging» confidential details about him and using other unlawful invasions of privacy could proceed. But court filings at a preliminary hearing on Tuesday made it clear that Harry's case will most likely be heard at a later trial, expected to begin in January 2025.
NGN has apologized for widespread hacking by journalists at the 'News of the World'. But it has rejected allegations of any wrongdoing by staff at the Sun. NGN has settled more than a thousand phone-hacking cases in relation to the 'Sun'. Harry became the first senior British royal in more than 130 years to appear in court and give evidence.
Prince Harry has been involved in six legal battles at the high court in recent months. He has filed civil litigations against three major newspaper publishers over allegations of unlawful information gathering, as well as legal challenges against the Home Office in relation to his personal security.
Q1. Why has Prince Harry filed civil