A High Court trial involving a group that includes the Duke of Sussex, Elton John, David Furnish, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Simon Hughes, Sadie Frost, and Liz Hurley is set to begin in January and is expected to run for about nine weeks against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).

The case accuses ANL of privacy violations, including using private investigators to plant listening devices, blagging private records, and accessing private phone conversations.

Other claimants named alongside Elton John and Lady Lawrence include Sadie Frost, Liz Hurley, and Sir Simon Hughes, among others."

A setback emerged when private investigator Jonathan Rees questioned Lady Lawrence’s account that the papers bugged her after her son Stephen Lawrence’s murder, suggesting the claim may need reconsideration.

Gavin Burrows, another private investigator, disputed a witness statement from Prince Harry’s team and claimed Burrows’ involvement in bugging was alleged but disputed, with his signature allegedly forged.

Public attention has focused on alleged surveillance and privacy violations by major UK media outlets, with ongoing disputes over evidence and witness credibility ahead of the trial.

ANL has rejected the allegations, calling them preposterous and stating it will vigorously defend the case.

ANL maintains the claims are not only preposterous but lurid, and asserts it did not engage in unlawful surveillance.

Baroness Lawrence’s witness statements previously claimed interceptions of her landline and hacked voicemails as part of covert surveillance.

Ahead of trial, a High Court ruling requires disclosure of several documents by early January and addresses other procedural issues.

The lawsuit was filed in October 2022 and has now reached a confirmed January trial date after more than three years.

Overall, the case has hovered over media practices and privacy rights, with ongoing battles over evidence, witness credibility, and disclosure deadlines.