High Court judge blocks contempt of court action against woman who held up a sign

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/high-court-judge-blocks-contempt-court-action-against-woman-who-held-sign

Trudi Warner with supporters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, April 18, 2024

A HIGH COURT judge has refused to allow contempt proceedings against a retired social worker who held up a sign outside a court where Insulate Britain activists were due to be tried.

Trudi Warner, from Walthamstow, East London, told of her relief following today’s ruling.

She was arrested on March 27 last year and accused of “deliberately targeting” the jury by holding up a placard outside an entrance used by jurors at Inner London Crown Court.

The sign read: “Jurors you have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to your conscience.”

Rendering judgement at the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Justice Saini said he would not give the Solicitor General permission to pursue proceedings against Ms Warner as she had “accurately informed potential prospective jurors about one of their legal powers.”

“The proper forum for the Solicitor General to address this concern is Parliament, not by way of contempt proceedings,” he said.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/high-court-judge-blocks-contempt-court-action-against-woman-who-held-sign

Continue ReadingHigh Court judge blocks contempt of court action against woman who held up a sign

Protests outside courts in England after activist charged over jury rights sign

Spread the love

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/25/protests-courts-england-activist-charged-jury-rights-sign

Demonstrators hold placards in response to contempt of court action against Trudi Warner, 68

Juries protest Bristol Crown Court 25 Sept 2023. Image by Jamie Bellinger.
Juries protest Bristol Crown Court 25 Sept 2023. Image by Jamie Bellinger.

Activists have protested outside crown courts in England against the contempt of court action being taken against a woman for holding up a placard on the rights of jurors.

In response to the decision by the solicitor general, a government law officer, to pursue Trudi Warner, 68, for contempt of court, scores of people gathered outside crown courts on Monday holding placards that pronounced on the rights of juries to acquit a defendant according to their consciences.

Abi Perrin, a scientist involved in the protest said: “In 2023 telling the truth is being treated as a criminal act, with people prosecuted for displaying facts in public, and imprisoned for explaining their motivations in their own defence in a court of law.

“I am deeply afraid of a world where truth, science and morality are not important, or where we are not free to fight for them.”

In Bristol three generations of one family held placards outside the crown court.

While Warner faces a possible jail sentence, a separate police investigation is taking place into allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice relating to at least 12 people who also stood outside Inner London crown court in May holding similar placards.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/25/protests-courts-england-activist-charged-jury-rights-sign

Trudi Warner is a climate activist charged over holding the sign outside a hearing of Insulate Britain activists.

Fears over right to protest after woman with sign at climate trial prosecuted

Continue ReadingProtests outside courts in England after activist charged over jury rights sign