Law digests: 3 & 10 April 2026

Contempt

Solicitor General for England and Wales v Seale [2026] EWCA Civ 362

The Court of Appeal dismissed Dr Seale’s appeal against an order committing her to prison for contempt of court for six months, suspended for two years. The court held that the judge was correct in finding 27 breaches of the extended civil restraint order made by Bacon J on 30 March 2023. The 2023 order prohibited Dr Seale from sending emails to individual court staff and limited her correspondence to routine administrative matters. The court held that Bacon J had jurisdiction to make the 2023 order under the court’s inherent jurisdiction to protect its own processes and prevent abuse. The court rejected Dr Seale’s submission that she had an unqualified constitutional right to correspond with the court, holding that while the right of access to justice is fundamental, it may be subject to proportionate limitations. The court held that the Solicitor General had standing to bring the committal proceedings in the public interest. The court found