Meghan Markle wins bid to delay High Court privacy battle against Mail on Sunday

The Duchess of Sussex’s High Court legal battle against the publishers of the Mail on Sunday has been delayed until autumn next year on secret grounds.

Lawyers for Meghan, 39, argued in a private hearing that the trial should not happen in January, seeking a lengthy adjournment from Mr Justice Warby.

Speaking in open court this morning, the judge said he has agreed to the delay and ordered that the ten-day trial would now be heard nine months later in October or November 2021.

“The basis for the application is a confidential ground, the merits of which were expanded on in the course of a private hearing before at 10am this morning”, he explained, saying he agreed to the “exceptional” behind-closed-doors hearing to avoid damaging the confidential nature of the information.

He said the Mail on Sunday’s publishers, Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), had not objected to a delay after seeing the Duchess’ argument and evidence supporting the request.

“I have considered with care the evidence and argument advanced by the claimant and evidence and critical analysis submitted on behalf of the defendant”, the judge said.

“I have concluded the right decision in all the circumstances is to grant the application to adjourn.

“That means the trial date of January 11, 2021 will be vacated and a trial will be fixed for a new date in the autumn.”

Meghan has been told to pay £30,000 towards the costs of bringing today’s adjournment application.

The court heard Thomas Markle had been consulted on the prospect of a delay but has not been told what the reason was for an adjournment being sought.

“Thomas Markle is an elderly and sick man”, ANL’s barrister Antony White QC wrote in a written submission.

“He wants and intends to give evidence at the trial.”

He said the court has been told of “his reaction to the idea of an adjournment”, adding: “None of the confidential information was disclosed to him.”