Introduction

[1]"A feature of the trial is that in the public interest all those directly taking part are given civil immunity for their participation....Thus the court, judge and jury, and the witnesses including expert witnesses are granted civil immunity. This is not just privilege for the purposes of the law of defamation but is a true immunity" - Arthur JS Hall & Co v. Simons [2002] 1 AC 615, 740, per Lord Hobhouse of Woodborough. In Stanton v. Callaghan [2000] QB 75 the court of Appeal held that the i