Understanding the Sub Judice Rule: Why UK Lawmakers Can't Discuss Active Court Cases

The Bench Report

Explore the sub judice rule in the UK Parliament. This rule prevents Members of Parliament (MPs) from discussing matters currently being decided in court. Its purpose is to stop parliamentary discussion from influencing court outcomes and to uphold the independence of the judiciary. Learn about the rule's history, including its 2001 revision that clarified its application to committees and defined when cases are considered 'active'. Discover the Speaker's role in exercising discretion to allow discussion in certain circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

• The sub judice rule stops UK MPs from referring to matters active in court during parliamentary proceedings.
• This is to prevent Parliament from influencing the outcome of legal cases.
• The rule applies to motions, debates, and questions.
• The Speaker of the House has the power to allow discussion of sub judice matters in certain situations.
• The rule does not stop Parliament from passing legislation.
• The rule was formally revised in 2001, making it explicit that it applies to parliamentary committees.
• The 2001 changes also clarified when criminal, civil, and appellate cases are considered 'active'.
• Issues of national importance or cases questioning ministerial decisions may be discussed subject to the Chair's discretion.
• The sub judice rule is also in place in the devolved legislatures of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Important Definitions and Concepts:

• Sub judice: A Latin term meaning 'under a judge'. In Parliament, it refers to a matter currently awaiting decision in a court of law.
• Sub judice rule: A parliamentary rule that restricts debate and reference to matters awaiting adjudication in UK courts to avoid influencing legal outcomes.

Discussion: The sub judice rule balances Parliament's right to discuss any matter with the need to protect court proceedings from potential prejudice. How effectively do you think this balance is struck, and what challenges might arise in applying the rule in a fast-moving political and media landscape?

Source: The sub judice rule
Research Briefing
Published Friday, 06 June, 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.