Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jack Lopresti and Robert Buckland

Thursday 25th February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con)]

11. What steps he plans to take to improve the level of public understanding of the legal framework applicable to social media.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

There is clearly some awareness of the legal framework applicable to social media, but I publish warnings online reminding people of their responsibilities wherever appropriate. My office also sends tweets warning social media users of the risk of being in contempt, where a particular problem has been identified. I assure my hon. Friend that I am always looking at ways of raising awareness in this area.

[Jack Lopresti]

Can my hon. and learned Friend explain what steps are being taken to prevent media coverage of ongoing cases?

[The Solicitor General]

The media quite properly play a role in reporting cases, but any lack of responsibility allows my office and, indeed, criminal law to intervene, particularly in respect of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Detailed guidelines on the prosecution of such cases are available on the CPS website.