Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Contempt of Court definition

What does Contempt of Court mean? Contempt of court describes conduct that disobeys court orders or undermines the administration of justice, exposing the contemnor to sanctions that coerce compliance or punish wrongdoing. In practice it covers: - Civil contempt: non-compliance with judgments, injunctions or undertakings to the court (including solicitors’ undertakings), and deliberate breaches of orders such as freezing, search or disclosure orders. Knowingly making a false statement to the court (for example, a false statement of truth) can also amount to contempt. - Criminal contempt: conduct in the face of the court (disruption, abuse, refusal to answer when required), interference with witnesses or jurors, breach...

Statutory Contempt of Court under the Contempt of Court Act 1981: Elements, Defences, Procedure, Penalties and Related Reporting Offences (England and Wales)

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Practice notes

The Contempt of Court Act 1981

The Contempt of Court Act 1981 (CCA 1981) sets out the offence of Strict liability contempt, also termed indirect contempt, arising from conduct by newspapers or other persons — including private individuals posting on social media — who publish material liable to interfere with forthcoming legal proceedings. This was formerly referred to as the sub judice rule. The following elements are required for liability to arise:

a publication (meaning any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or to any section of it)
which creates a substantial risk that the course of justice in the proceedings in question will be seriously impeded or prejudiced; and
the proceedings are active

The CCA 1981 does not change the common law; it supports it...

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Alex McHugh

Pump Court Chambers

Alex McHugh joined Pump Court Chambers following successful completion of his pupillage. His key areas of practice are criminal defence, family, and landlord & tenant disputes. Prior to joining Chambers, Alex worked as a paralegal for a number of years at a Legal 500 firm in London. Two of those years were spent in crime under the stewardship of extremely experienced senior partners. Alex helped manage cases from beginning to end and represented all manner of clients in respect of a full range of alleged offences. As counsel, Alex defends his clients throughout every stage of proceedings. Alex accepts private and, where applicable, publicly funded briefs on road traffic offences, and has experience in representing clients in relation to speeding, drinking driving, “totting up”, and causing injury by dangerous driving offences. Alex predominantly works across the Western Circuit, London, and the South East. ...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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