Contempt of Court Bill 2018

Closed 28 Sep 2018

Opened 10 Aug 2018

Overview

This consultation aims to collect views on proposed new legislation which aims to put the law relating to contempt of court on to a statutory footing.

Why your views matter

A trial in a recent criminal case in the Manx courts had to be abandoned because photographs were taken in court during the closing stages of the trial, seemingly of the jurors and the prosecuting advocate. The jury had to be discharged and a police investigation was conducted into a possible contempt of court.

It became apparent that, unlike in the UK, there is no legal provision prohibiting unauthorised recording in courts other than perhaps the inherent power of the court to regulate its own proceedings.

This Bill aims to address that issue and other contempt of court issues by establishing offences and penalties in relation to contempt of court.
We particularly invite comment on the proposed penalties in clauses 12, 16, 18 and 21.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Elected members - MHKs
  • Elected members - local government
  • Tenants
  • Landlords
  • Employees
  • Older people
  • Homeowners
  • Self-employed
  • Students
  • Retired
  • Children & young people
  • Volunteers
  • Unemployed
  • Parents, carers and & guardians
  • People with disabilities or long term illness
  • Leaseholders/ landowners
  • Lesbian, gay, transgender & bisexual
  • Civil and public servants
  • Black & minority ethnic
  • Business owner
  • Road users
  • All residents
  • Visitors & tourists
  • Other non-resident - business interests

Interests

  • Legislation
  • Policies, strategies & plans