Prince Harry's privacy trial against the Daily Mail begins

A civil trial opened in London after claimants including Prince Harry and Elton John accused Associated Newspapers of widespread phone hacking and other unlawful information gathering from 1993 to 2011 and beyond. Prince Harry is due to give evidence on Thursday as the nine-week trial proceeds.

Prince Harry and several other public figures have begun a civil trial at London's High Court alleging unlawful information gathering by the Daily Mail's publisher. Their legal team says the claims cover phone hacking and other unlawful acts from 1993 to 2011 and beyond. The trial opened on Monday and is scheduled to run for nine weeks. Associated Newspapers denies the allegations and has questioned the reliability of some evidence. Key details: - Claimants named include Prince Harry, singer Elton John, David Furnish, actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost, anti-racism campaigner Doreen Lawrence, and former lawmaker Simon Hughes. - The legal case alleges widespread phone hacking and other unlawful methods of obtaining private information by staff or agents linked to Associated Newspapers over a prolonged period. - Associated Newspapers disputes the claims; Judge Matthew Nicklin will hear the case and Prince Harry is due to give evidence on Thursday. Summary: The trial will examine allegations that private information was obtained unlawfully and Associated Newspapers disputes those allegations. Judge Matthew Nicklin's conclusions could affect reputations and determine legal costs running into tens of millions of dollars. Prince Harry is scheduled to give evidence on Thursday.