Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what recent discussions he has had with social media providers on user postings and the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

The Law Officers have had no recent discussions with social media providers on users’ postings and the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The Attorney General has, however, announced on 15 September 2017 a Call for Evidence to consider the impact of social media on the administration of justice. The Call for Evidence will assess the risks arising from social media to the fairness of criminal trials including contempt of court, the right to anonymity of victims and the integrity of judicial orders in criminal proceedings.