Kevin Spacey will return to the High Court next year. The actor is set to contest civil lawsuits filed by three men. They accuse him of sexual assault.
The legal action involves alleged incidents from 2000 to 2013. During a hearing on Wednesday, a judge proposed a provisional start date. The trial is expected to begin on October 12, 2026.
Currently, the court has not decided the format. The lawsuits could be consolidated into a single trial. Alternatively, they might be heard as three separate cases.
The Allegations Against Spacey
Two of the claimants previously testified against Spacey. They appeared during his criminal trial in 2023. At that time, the actor was acquitted of all nine sexual offense charges.
The civil claims involve three specific individuals:
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Claimant “LNP”: This individual alleges Spacey assaulted him multiple times. He claims the actor “deliberately assaulted” him approximately 12 times between 2000 and 2005.
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Claimant “GHI”: This accuser met the actor at the Old Vic theatre. Spacey served as artistic director there from 2004 to 2013. GHI claims he suffered “psychiatric damage and financial loss” after an alleged assault in 2008. His initial lawsuit was suspended during the criminal trial.
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Ruari Cannon: The third claimant has waived his anonymity. Cannon alleges Spacey groped him at a party in 2013. This incident reportedly occurred after the press night of the play Sweet Bird of Youth.
Spacey Denies All Wrongdoing
The Oscar-winning actor has firmly denied the allegations. He has formally entered denials for two of the claims. He is expected to file a defense for the third soon.
Spacey addressed Cannon’s accusation directly. He described the claim as “ridiculous.“ Furthermore, he insisted the incident “never happened.“
Previously, Spacey acknowledged some past “bad behavior.“ He admitted to being “too handsy” at times. However, he rejects the characterization of his actions as assault or groping.
Legal Arguments for a Single Trial
Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC represents all three men. She argued that the claims should be heard together.
In written submissions, she contended that a consolidated trial is better. This format would prevent the claimants and Mr. Spacey from giving evidence multiple times.
This civil litigation follows a major legal victory for Spacey. In 2023, a London jury cleared him of serious charges. These included seven counts of sexual assault and two counts regarding non-consensual sexual activity.
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