Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 108606

Trials: Social Media

Tabled: 27 January 2026
Answered: 4 February 2026

Question

Mark Pritchard

ConservativeThe Wrekin

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to amend the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to reflect public comments about trials on social media platforms.

Answer

Sarah Sackman
Rules and restrictions on what can be said during ongoing court proceedings are vital to ensure that trials are fair and justice is delivered. The Government recognises that social media is putting these long-established rules under strain, especially in ...

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