United Kingdom: Stop Press: The Court File - an Open Book? / Mondaq, 27 July 2006

http://www.mondaq.com/i_article.asp_Q_articleid_E_41522_A_rss_E_14
Andrew Howell and Sophie Cubbon
"The Department for Constitutional Affairs ("DCA") has recently published advance notice of a change to the Civil Procedure Rules ("CPR") which could impact heavily on litigants, particularly in cases of media interest. From 2 October 2006, non-parties, such as journalists, will be entitled to copies of statements of case from the court file as a matter of course, without needing to apply to the court. It is also proposed that this rule change will have retrospective effect. Is this concession to the press a step too far in favour of open justice?"