Prince Harry’s Court Case Delayed: A Last-Minute Twist

In an unexpected turn of events, Prince Harry has postponed the start of his hacking lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's Newsgroup newspapers.

This last-minute intervention has left many wondering what it signifies for the ongoing legal battle.

The court case was set to kick off this morning at London's High Court.

However, Prince Harry's lawyer, David Sherburn, sought a brief delay, citing the need for more time to discuss matters with the opposing side.

Notably, both Prince Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson are plaintiffs in this lawsuit, which alleges unlawful information gathering and hacking, reminiscent of Harry's previous legal skirmishes with Mirror Group newspapers.

Initially scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., the proceedings were halted when Sherburn requested a short adjournment.

He explained to the judge that he had been asked to seek this delay, hinting that either Prince Harry or Lord Watson might be behind the request.

This raises intriguing questions: Who exactly prompted the barrister to ask for more time?

Once the court reconvened after the first delay, Sherburn again approached the judge, this time asking for an extension until 2 p.m.

This request received support from Anthony Cudson KC, representing Newsgroup newspapers.

As it stands, the court is expected to resume shortly, and all eyes are on potential developments.

The presiding judge, Mr. Justice Bancourt, expressed some concern regarding the trial's timeline, which is anticipated to last several weeks.

However, he also noted that a delay of an hour or two is relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of an eight-week trial.

He indicated willingness to grant further time, provided both parties could assure him that it would lead to a productive outcome.

Interestingly, the judge seemed to suspect that negotiations might be underway behind closed doors.

If so, it raises the possibility that a settlement could be reached, potentially averting the trial altogether.

With the judge's comments suggesting that a resolution might be on the horizon, speculation is rife about the motives behind this latest adjournment.

To add to the complexity, reports indicate that 39 individuals have settled their claims against Newsgroup newspapers between July and December of the previous year.

Could Prince Harry and Lord Watson be among those seeking a resolution outside of court?

If the trial does proceed, it is expected to last around ten weeks, with Prince Harry slated to provide testimony in February.

As the situation unfolds, the anticipation surrounding this case continues to grow.

The prospect of Prince Harry taking the stand for several days has captured public interest, but whether that will happen remains uncertain.

This latest development raises questions about the future of the lawsuit and the potential for a settlement.

Are Prince Harry and Lord Watson poised to strike a deal with Rupert Murdoch's empire, or will they choose to press on with the trial?

As the court gears up to reconvene, the legal community and royal watchers alike are bracing for what comes next.

The clock is ticking, and with each moment that passes, the stakes get higher.

Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to evolve.