TV networks battle for rights to live coverage of Diana inquest

Television networks were today set to launch a legal battle to broadcast Princess Diana's inquest live.

It comes after an expert revealed a legal loophole could let them take cameras into the courtroom. Both CNN and Sky News are understood to be keen.

Today Mark Stephens, a partner in media law firm Finers Stephens Innocent, said news organisations were preparing to apply to film the inquest, expected to resume next year. Changes in the law meant the inquest was already "open to be broadcast", he said. No decision had been made by the Lord Chancellor.

But Mr Stephens said: "Recent changes mean the court is obliged to make access available, so the court is presumptively open to electronic broadcast - whether that is live television, webcasting, radio, or all three."

Ben Leapman writes: TV cameras will be let into English courts for the first time in an experiment ordered by the Government. They will focus only on the judge and barristers, at hearings with no jury, and will not show the dock. The six-week test will involve the Lord Chief Justice's court and the Master of the Rolls court. Before each case is televised, barristers will have a chance to object.