A ruling is due on Friday over hacking claims brought by the Duke of Sussex and others against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN).
Prince Harry sued the publisher for damages over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
He claimed journalists at its titles – the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People – were linked to methods including phone-hacking, so-called “blagging” or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.
Harry alleges 147 stories from 1996 to 2010, published by MGN titles, used information obtained through unlawful means.
At the start of the trial, seven months ago, the High Court was told the publisher of the Daily Mirror newspaper has apologised “unreservedly” to Prince Harry for unlawfully gathering information about him.
The court heard the “systemic” use of private investigators by journalists to unlawfully obtain information was authorised by senior editors including Piers Morgan.
The prince’s lawyer said MGN’s failure to call Mr Morgan to give evidence left “fatal holes” in the defence case.
Mr Morgan denied any wrongdoing.
Key Points
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Prince awaits judge’s ruling
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Harry should win £320,000 payout, lawyers say
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‘No evidence’ for many hacking claims, says publisher
Coronation Street star ‘furious’ at phone hacking
20:01 , Jane Dalton
One of those who sued Mirror Group Newspapers alongside the prince is Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell, who told the High Court it made him “furious” to think journalists were hacking into his voicemails when he was accused of sexual offences, of which he was later cleared:
Soap star Michael Le Vell says thought of voicemail hacking made him ‘furious’
Harry should win £320,000 payout, lawyers say
18:36 , Jane Dalton
In a trial in June, the prince’s lawyers argued he should be awarded up to £320,000 in compensation over the alleged misuse of his private information.
Mirror Group Newspapers largely contested the claims that 147 stories from 1996 to 2010, published by MGN titles, used information obtained through unlawful means.
Prince Harry entitled to £320,000 from Mirror publisher in hacking trial, lawyers say
Prince awaits judge’s ruling
17:18 , Sam Rkaina
The Duke of Sussex and other high-profile people are awaiting a judge’s ruling in their case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) on Friday.
Prince Harry, 39, sued the publisher for damages over allegations of unlawful information gathering, claiming journalists at its titles were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called “blagging” or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.
The seven-week high-profile High Court trial in London ended in June.
Mr Justice Fancourt is due to give his ruling at a hearing on tomorrow.
