The Reporting of Crown Court Proceedings and the Contempt of Court Act 1981

Abstract

Ever since the enactment of the Contempt of Court Act 198 1, concern has been expressed’ about the use of orders under sections 4 and 11 restricting the media’s ability to report court proceedings in accordance with the principle of open justice.* However, the absence of any empirical survey of these orders has hampered a proper evaluation of their worth. This article seeks to elucidate the operation of reporting restrictions at Crown Court level by presenting and analysing the results of a survey of nine Crown Courts during the period 1982-89. The findings are prefaced by an exposition of the legal framework.