Judge: Phone hacking trial will not be 'witch hunt'

The News International phone hacking trial in the New Year was not going to be a "witch hunt", a British High Court judge said today.

Mr Justice Vos, who is due to hear a number of lead actions in the civil litigation in January, also emphasised that he was not going to allow a "mini-Leveson Inquiry" to take place, as the terms of reference were completely different.

He told lawyers for the newspaper group in London: "No irrelevant matters or matters which go to extraneous crusades are going to be welcome at this trial.

"It is to determine the level of liability which your clients should properly have to the claimants in this case - and nothing more.

"It is not a witch hunt. It is not a crusade. It is to determine the damages you must fairly pay."

The judge's remarks followed applications - which were ultimately not pursued - by the group's counsel, Michael Silverleaf QC, for the court to limit its consideration of the extent of the hacking activity, as that ground would be covered at the Inquiry and for any claim for punitive exemplary damages to be struck out.

Mr Justice Vos said that it was not appropriate to have the issue of exemplary damages tried in advance.

"I am going to decide it at the trial - that's my job."

The case returns to court on January 13 for a pre-trial review, with the main hearing to follow about two weeks later.