Page:Contempt of Court Act 1981.pdf/5

Rh :(b) in the case of a report of committal proceedings of which publication is permitted by virtue only of subsection (3) of section 8 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, if published as soon as practicable after publication is so permitted.

(4) Subsection (9) of the said section 8 is repealed.

5. A publication made as or as part of a discussion in good faith of public affairs or other matters of general public interest is not to be treated as a contempt of court under the strict liability rule if the risk of impediment or prejudice to particular legal proceedings is merely incidental to the discussion.

6. Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Act—
 * (a) prejudices any defence available at common law to a charge of contempt of court under the strict liability rule;
 * (b) implies that any publication is punishable as contempt of court under that rule which would not be so punishable apart from those provisions;
 * (c) restricts liability for contempt of court in respect of conduct intended to impede or prejudice the administration of justice.

7. Proceedings for a contempt of court under the strict liability rule (other than Scottish proceedings) shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney General or on the motion of a court having jurisdiction to deal with it. Other aspects of law and procedure

8.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, it is a contempt of court to obtain, disclose or solicit any particulars of statements made, opinions expressed, arguments advanced or votes cast by members of a jury in the course of their deliberations in any legal proceedings.

(2) This section does not apply to any disclosure of any particulars—
 * (a) in the proceedings in question for the purpose of enabling the jury to arrive at their verdict, or in connection with the delivery of that verdict, or

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