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The royal family
Original poster

Duke of Sussex & Others vs ANL: thread 3

987 replies

bluegreygreen · 19/02/2026 13:46

This is the third thread discussing the case Prince Harry (and 6 others) are bringing against the Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers) for alleged unlawful information gathering (UIG).

Thread 1

Thread 2

Since the celebrities have given evidence, there has been limited direct reporting from court; what there is has mostly been on this link
Sky News link to court case

OP posts:
Thread gallery
51
Ballah · 30/03/2026 23:53

TheAutumnCrow · 30/03/2026 22:46

This is not panning out as a good day for Harry. Metaphorical slap-downs from both 'sources close to the King' and Judge Nicklin. And it's only the afternoon in California.

He just needs something to leak re IG and it’s a hat trick. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 06:44

bluegreygreen · 30/03/2026 22:37

Thanks @ThePoshUns

Sherborne said there was “a culture of widespread unlawful activity” with the use of 14 private investigators to obtain information. He told the court that where there was evidence that private information had been obtained, it was “not necessary to identify the direct route or investigator” involved.

Sherborne is directly contradicting what the judge has been saying throughout this process - that the claimants need to show evidence of UIG in each case.

Either the reporting hasn't covered the actual evidence or Sherborne hasn't provided any. "My friends don't leak" isn't evidence is it?

Am I the only one finding this case baffling in is apparent lack of solid evidence of illegal information gathering?

Baital · 31/03/2026 07:14

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 06:44

Either the reporting hasn't covered the actual evidence or Sherborne hasn't provided any. "My friends don't leak" isn't evidence is it?

Am I the only one finding this case baffling in is apparent lack of solid evidence of illegal information gathering?

Show quote history

I am confused as well. Such an expensive trial, on apparently little to no evidence? Unless the reporting is leaving a lot out, which is possible, but surely titles like The Guardian would have no interest in covering up for ANL? They aren't remotely connected.

Thedom · 31/03/2026 07:32

If they lose this case, do they have the opportunity to appeal ?

Lifestooshort71 · 31/03/2026 07:56

Thedom · 31/03/2026 07:32

If they lose this case, do they have the opportunity to appeal ?

Oh dear god.....surely not?

Original poster
bluegreygreen · 31/03/2026 08:53

Thedom · 31/03/2026 07:32

If they lose this case, do they have the opportunity to appeal ?

As I understand it, you need to have a basis on which to appeal - either compelling new evidence, or the judge making an error in law.

Someone with legal knowledge please feel free to correct if I'm wrong.

OP posts:
ThePoshUns · 31/03/2026 09:19

CraftyGin · 31/03/2026 08:26

With share token. Excoriating!
Even Prince Harry’s lawyer seems bored by yesterday’s war

https://www.thetimes.com/article/5713fa46-b6b7-4724-a684-85a293939ef7?shareToken=b3bee5f9c4a60e396cad752549d4bbf5

PrayForMyBum · 31/03/2026 09:39

Thanks @ThePoshUns . This is brilliant:

“It’s a bit like pin the tail on the donkey, but we are blindfolded, and there is very little donkey left to pin the tail on.” These are not the kind of words that people such as Sherborne enjoy saying. If, after years of litigation, after hours and hours of attempts, he has not managed to locate the donkey’s backside himself, then who will?

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/03/2026 09:55

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 06:44

Either the reporting hasn't covered the actual evidence or Sherborne hasn't provided any. "My friends don't leak" isn't evidence is it?

Am I the only one finding this case baffling in is apparent lack of solid evidence of illegal information gathering?

Show quote history

No you're not the only one, MrsLF, and while I realise civil cases hang on the balance of probability, I'd still expect to see more actual evidence

So would the judge, it seems, but yes a civil case can be appealed.
We'd need MN's legal eagles for this, but apparently it can only be done on the grounds of mistakes in the legal process rather than just disagreeing with the outcome - not unlike the Ravec case in fact, but while I doubt that would stop Harry I wonder if Sherborne would want further involvement if they lose?

RecoIIectionsMayVary · 31/03/2026 10:59

I'm sure Sherborne won't mind, he gets paid whatever.

I'm not sure anyone other than EJ could afford it.

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 12:05

Baital · 31/03/2026 07:14

I am confused as well. Such an expensive trial, on apparently little to no evidence? Unless the reporting is leaving a lot out, which is possible, but surely titles like The Guardian would have no interest in covering up for ANL? They aren't remotely connected.

Show quote history

Exactly. I would expect The Guardian to be all over actual evidence against ANL. The absence is weird.

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 12:07

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/03/2026 09:55

No you're not the only one, MrsLF, and while I realise civil cases hang on the balance of probability, I'd still expect to see more actual evidence

So would the judge, it seems, but yes a civil case can be appealed.
We'd need MN's legal eagles for this, but apparently it can only be done on the grounds of mistakes in the legal process rather than just disagreeing with the outcome - not unlike the Ravec case in fact, but while I doubt that would stop Harry I wonder if Sherborne would want further involvement if they lose?

Show quote history

Surely they can't appeal? Their only"evidence" is a touching confidence in friends being leak proof (ignoring the staff that were around of course).

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 12:10

PrayForMyBum · 31/03/2026 09:39

Thanks @ThePoshUns . This is brilliant:

“It’s a bit like pin the tail on the donkey, but we are blindfolded, and there is very little donkey left to pin the tail on.” These are not the kind of words that people such as Sherborne enjoy saying. If, after years of litigation, after hours and hours of attempts, he has not managed to locate the donkey’s backside himself, then who will?

Surely they can't win without the ass?

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/03/2026 15:37

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 12:07

Surely they can't appeal? Their only"evidence" is a touching confidence in friends being leak proof (ignoring the staff that were around of course).

Show quote history

IANAL and all that, MrsLF, but as said it appears an appeal can be requested if there was some fault in the legal process

It's way beyond my paygrade to know whether there was or not, but if Harry doesn't get his way I'd lay good money that he'll insist this was so, and that if even that doesn't work we'll hear more about an "establishment stitch up"

Honestyboxy · 31/03/2026 15:40

Lunde · 30/03/2026 11:02

The "Sandringham summer" leaks are really strange given that the Royals go to Scotland/Balmoral in the summer and open Sandringham to the public with a whole summer of planned events at Sandringham.

It seems like these leaks are coming from someone who really doesn't know the RF!

Show quote history

That’s what I thought too.

KatherineParr · 31/03/2026 15:43

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/03/2026 15:37

IANAL and all that, MrsLF, but as said it appears an appeal can be requested if there was some fault in the legal process

It's way beyond my paygrade to know whether there was or not, but if Harry doesn't get his way I'd lay good money that he'll insist this was so, and that if even that doesn't work we'll hear more about an "establishment stitch up"

Show quote history

It's the Prince Harry narrative. "If due process is followed, without interference, then justice will be served, and I will get my way". Harry can't understand that "I want" or "I feel" is not synonymous with "I am right".

Justdancevance · 31/03/2026 16:19

Nicklin gave Sherborne a lot of leeway, hopefully that leaves little or ideally no room to appeal, and we can all move on. Also there could be some criminal investigations ?

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/03/2026 16:19

Puzzledandpissedoff · 31/03/2026 15:37

IANAL and all that, MrsLF, but as said it appears an appeal can be requested if there was some fault in the legal process

It's way beyond my paygrade to know whether there was or not, but if Harry doesn't get his way I'd lay good money that he'll insist this was so, and that if even that doesn't work we'll hear more about an "establishment stitch up"

Show quote history

I'm all for letting him rant, the establishment stitch up whine did him no favours whatsoever. I think in the current climate the King would be stupid to even think about bringing q couple of loose cannons back into the fold.

Original poster
bluegreygreen · 31/03/2026 16:43

Guardian summary of trial - again, apologies for being unable to archive at the moment (getting stuck in a repeating cycle of proving I'm not a robot)

Guardian summary

OP posts:
Starryfifty · 31/03/2026 17:13

His photo in that summary is horrendous. Why is he blaming the DM for making his wife's life a misery ? His basis for this case is pre-Meghan

Rhaidimiddim · 31/03/2026 17:33

Justdancevance · 31/03/2026 16:19

Nicklin gave Sherborne a lot of leeway, hopefully that leaves little or ideally no room to appeal, and we can all move on. Also there could be some criminal investigations ?

I soooo hope so.
If the baroness sets up a crowdfunder I'd donate.

Justdancevance · 31/03/2026 18:38

If Harry is broke, the King can put money into a trust for education, living expenses and a suitable level of court cases.

no more money for stupid court cases or as ever stock.

it would be the best thing for everyone, KC can love them from a distance.

KatherineParr · 31/03/2026 18:58

Have they said when we can expect a verdict?

Rhaidimiddim · 31/03/2026 19:39

Justdancevance · 31/03/2026 18:38

If Harry is broke, the King can put money into a trust for education, living expenses and a suitable level of court cases.

no more money for stupid court cases or as ever stock.

it would be the best thing for everyone, KC can love them from a distance.

Well, that didn,'t work for the Yorks. And they were without the narc rage.

I really doubt that the amount of crazy resentment these two feel could ever be parlayed into sensible behaviour. They are out to destroy the RF if they can.