R v Jordan (John)

Subject Matter

CONTEMPT OF COURT — Crown Court — Procedure — Defendant playing loud music outside court building causing interference with jury trial — Judge causing defendant to be arrested and finding defendant in contempt of court — Whether conduct serious enough interference with administration of justice to amount to contempt — Whether judge’s factual conclusions on legally essential issue of intent unsafe — Whether proceedings falling short of minimum standards of fairness — Whether judge’s decision to deal with the matter himself bringing impartiality into question — Whether finding of contempt disproportionately interfering with defendant’s exercise of rights to freedom of expression and assembly — Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), Sch 1, Pt I, arts 10, 11 — Crim PR Pt 48

[2024] EWCA Crim 229; [2024] 4 WLR 30; [2024] 2 Cr App R 1; [2024] WLR(D) 120, CA

Commentary

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Contempt of Court in Respect of Criminal Proceedings - Nature of Contempt B14.84

Contempt of Court in Respect of Criminal Proceedings - Criminal Procedure Rules, Part 48 - Proceedings for Contempt in the Face of the Court B14.93

Contempt of Court in Respect of Criminal Proceedings - Forms of Contempt: Disruption of Proceedings and Misbehaviour in Court B14.104