Solicitor-General David Collins will consider the case against media organisations.
Solicitor-General David Collins will consider the case against media organisations.
KEY POINTS:
Some of the "Urewera 16" are fighting a "sensationalist groundswell" in the media which they say is destroying their chance of a fair trial.
Lawyers for nine of the accused have launched contempt of court proceedings against Fairfax Media, which published police evidence from intercepted communications in itsWellington newspaper the Dominion Post.
The same details were published by the Christchurch Press and the Waikato Times, also owned by Fairfax.
Under the sub judice rule, if a case is due to be tried a newspaper cannot publish anything that might create a real risk of prejudice to a fair trial.
The Solicitor-General, David Collins, is considering whether there is a case to answer. A spokeswoman from his office said yesterday a decision would be made soon, but declined to give a firm timeframe.
Meanwhile, the lawyers are also planning action against TV3 and APN, publisher of the Herald and Herald on Sunday, for allegedly breaching suppression orders.
Michael Bott, lawyer for Ira Bailey, who is facing four firearms and weapons charges, said defence lawyers were watching with increasing anger the "relentless and comprehensive" breach of suppression orders and dissemination of material obtained under intercept warrants which was not admissible in court.
"This case has been characterised by sensationalist groundswell," said the Wellington barrister, speaking on behalf of eight other lawyers.
The media had placed itself above the courts and showed scant regard for the law, said Mr Bott.
Another lawyer, Jeremy Bioletti - representing Jamie Lockett, who faces three charges - said he had also filed a contempt of court complaint against Fairfax with the Solicitor-General.
