Phone hacking inquiry: first hearing announced

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Lord Justice Leveson will next week hear applications from individuals and groups seeking to be legally represented in the first stage of the public inquiry into phone hacking.

Those granted "core participant status" will be able to be legally represented at the inquiry and may be given the opportunity to have questions posed on their behalf.

As highlighted on the Hacked Off campaign website, Rule 5 of the Inquiry Rules 2006 outlines what will be considered in applications for core participant status, such as whether the subject "has

played, or may have played, a direct and significant role in relation to the matters to which the inquiry relates".

Those who applied before the 31 August deadline will make their case at the

first hearing of the inquiry, which will take place at the Royal Courts of Justice at 10:30am on Tuesday (6 September). A Cabinet Office spokesperson for the inquiry said that Leveson will also consider written applications after the deadline in exceptional circumstances. "This is part of the initial work of the inquiry in determining those who have a special interest in the outcome of the inquiry and its process," the statement said. “Lord Justice Leveson will make decisions regarding the applications at Tuesday’s hearing or shortly thereafter.” The hearing will be held in public and a full transcript of the proceedings will be posted shortly after on the inquiry’s website. Leveson announced in July that following a

preliminary hearing in September a series of seminars will take place in October, covering topics such as the law, journalism ethics and the practice and pressures of investigative journalism. Leveson also recommended that in "due course" similar seminars be held on relationships between the press and police, politicians and the political process.