An appeal case of the utmost importance was decided in
the House of Lords on Monday. The petitioner in a nullity suit, which the judge had ordered to be heard in camera, had after judgment in her favour sent transcripts of the full short- hand evidence to members of her husband's family. A motion was made on his behalf to commit the petitioner and her solicitor to prison for contempt of court. Mr. Justice Hargrave Deane held that the contempt was proved, but on the grounds that they had acted in ignorance, made no order on the motion except that they should pay the costs. They went to the Court of Appeal, which confirmed the judge's decision in a full court by four to two, and then carried the case to the Lords, who unanimously reversed the decision on the ground that the judge had no power to close his court except in certain specified cases, to which nullity suits did not belong.
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