Law Commission recommends overhaul of contempt laws

The Law Commission is to launch a consultation paper on proposals to reform the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the common law offence of contempt of court. The Commission believes that changes are required in order for the law to keep up with technological advances and, in particular, the spread of social media. Careless blogging or tweeting can result in juries being discharged and subsequent expensive retrials. One proposal is to pass the cost of retrials on to the responsible party. It is understood that the Commission will also propose a uniform process across all criminal courts.

The consultation paper will be published at the Law Commission's website: http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/

source: The Times