How you can watch Meghan Markle's court battle against the Mail On Sunday

Yahoo News UK
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Watch: Why is Meghan Markle suing the Mail On Sunday?

Meghan Markle’s legal battle against the Mail On Sunday will return to court next week - and members of the public can apply to watch the case unfold online.

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, is suing the Mail On Sunday and the MailOnline after it published sections of a letter she wrote to her father a few months after her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.

The case returns to the High Court in London on 19 January, as her team applies to have the case heard by summary judgement. That would mean there would not be a full trial, but that the judge would make his decision based on papers filed.

When there are no pandemic-related restrictions, courts are open to members of the public who want to watch cases, but there would usually be limited seating in the public gallery.

Owing to restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, many of Meghan’s hearings have been held virtually, with journalists tuning in to report from them.

Read more: Why is Meghan Markle suing the Mail on Sunday?

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex arrives at the British High Commissioner residency where she will meet with Graca Machel, widow of former South African president Nelson Mandela, in Johannesburg, on October 2, 2019. - Prince Harry recalled the hounding of his late mother Diana to denounce media treatment of his wife Meghan Markle, as the couple launched legal action against a British tabloid for invasion of privacy. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP) (Photo by MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images)
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, here in South Africa in 2019, is set to have the next part of her case heard in the High Court. (Michele Spatari/AFP)

In order to replicate open justice, the court will also take applications from members of the public who want to listen to the case.

Anyone tuning in will have to agree not to record any part of the proceedings - the same rule which applies in a physical court room.

Recording images, photos or videos, of the court case could be considered contempt of court, an offence which could lead to criminal charges.

And while members of the press are allowed to report live on proceedings, via Twitter or live blogs, as well as with broadcasts, members of the public must apply for permission before they Tweet what’s going on inside the courtroom.

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The case is set to begin at 10.30am on 19 January, but it’s expected attendees will be ready to sign on by 9.30am on that day.

The deadline for applications is 15 January at 4pm GMT.

To apply, send the name, email address, phone number and capacity in which the person is attending to ChanceryJudgesListing@Justice.gov.uk. Applications should include the details of the case, including the date and number.

The case will not be livestreamed and applying to listen to proceedings does not guarantee access.

Watch: One year on: Prince Harry and Meghan step down