Stockdale v Hansard

[1] On that basis, Messrs Hansard, publishers of the eponymous parliamentary debates, who were contracted to print papers, made 200 copies of the Newgate report.

It was claimed as his property by a prisoner named ⸺, and was kept in the cupboard without any attempt at concealment.The Court of Aldermen of the City of London Corporation, who were responsible for Newgate, were incensed.

They saw Roberton's book as a scientific work, but the inspectors affirmed their original description by observing, "We also applied to several medical booksellers, who all gave it the same character.

When they first returned, the jury foreman said that it found the book indecent and obscene but did not all agree that it was disgusting and that it wished to award Stockdale a farthing in damages.

The Commons claimed that: The court was led by Lord Denman, who had had some support on the case from barrister Charles Rann Kennedy.

[1][7][8] In consequence,[9] Parliament passed the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 to establish privilege for publications under the House's authority.