London, Nov 26, (PA Media/dpa/GNA) – Civil trials between actor Kevin Spacey and three men, who allege that he sexually assaulted them, are set to begin in October next year, the High Court in London has heard.
Ruari Cannon, who has waived his right to anonymity, along with two others who have not, claim Spacey abused them at times between 2000 and 2015 after meeting the Hollywood star through his position as artistic director at the Old Vic theatre.
They are taking legal action at the High Court against Spacey, while Cannon is also bringing action against the Old Vic.
In 2023, he was acquitted of nine sex offences relating to four men.
Barrister Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, acting for the trio, said in written submissions for a hearing on Wednesday that the cases should be heard together, to avoid the men and Spacey giving evidence more than once.
She said: “If the cases were heard separately, the defendant would need to give evidence in each case and be available for trial on three separate occasions.
“Each of the claimants will be a witness in the other claimants’ cases, and a number of other witnesses will be called in support of each claimant’s case.”
William McCormick KC, for Spacey, said in written submissions that one of the cases, brought by a man known as LNP, should be heard in the county court, separate from that of Cannon and the third man, known as GHI.
He said: “On a rational analysis, the only common feature is Kevin Spacey.
“The fact that he met, or in the case of Cannon, is said to have met, each claimant in the context of his work at the Old Vic takes matters no further.
“The circumstances of the alleged assaults are markedly different and occur many years apart.”
Mrs Justice Lambert, sitting with Judge David Cook, set a provisional three-week window for all three cases to be heard in the High Court next October.
Claire Glasgow, of Fieldfisher, the law firm representing the three men, said after the hearing: “Today was a good outcome for the claimants that all three claims stay in the High Court and we look forward to receiving Mr Spacey’s defence on LNP.
“The judge confirmed that all three claims will be case-managed together, so that similar allegations will be tried at the same time or sequentially by the same judge.
“This will hopefully ease some of the stress for our clients.”
GNA