The Duke of Sussex could face four days of “extensive” questioning in the High Court in his upcoming trial against the publisher of The Sun over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
The Duke, 40, and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson are bringing legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN), which is set to head to trial in January 2025.
The Duke was also accused of trying to turn his legal battle into a public inquiry after he said last week he would never settle the case to achieve closure for the hundreds of thousands who had settled.
Anthony Hudson KC, for NGN, said 30 articles will be included in the trial in the Duke’s case and he would need to be questioned on each one.
Lawyer David Sherborne (pictured right) is representing Harry and Lord Watson – HANNAH MCKAY
The barrister said Harry will be questioned about whether or not his claim should be dismissed because it was brought too late, adding: “That is going to require an extensive cross-examination of the Duke on actual and constructed knowledge.”
Mr Hudson continued: “If we said anything less than up to four days, we would be at risk of running out of time.”
David Sherborne, representing the Duke and Lord Watson, said the Duke had been questioned for only a day-and-a-half in his claim against Mirror Group Newspapers.
He continued: “The idea that Mr Hudson could allow himself four days because he doesn’t want to feel rushed, that could apply to every witness.”
Mr Hudson KC also told the court the Duke’s comments in a New York Times interview last week proved he was trying to turn the case into a public inquiry.
“It shows what’s really going on,” he said.
“This is not about the trial of these individual claims, certainly not about the Duke’s. It’s about something very different.
“What it’s clearly about… it’s almost by definition a public inquiry.”
Mr Justice Fancourt did not decide on how long Harry’s cross-examination should last.
He alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for NGN, which also published the now-defunct News Of The World.
The publisher has previously denied unlawful activity took place at The Sun.
The hearing before Mr Justice Fancourt is due to conclude on Wednesday afternoon.