Date set for Kevin Spacey civil sexual assault trials

Kevin Spacey is set to face civil trials at the High Court later next year, over separate lawsuits filed by three men who have accused him of sexual assault.

A man called Ruari Cannon, who has waived his right to anonymity, and two other claimants who have not, alleged they were abused by the Hollywood actor at times between 2000 and 2015. They are taking legal action at the High Court against Spacey, while Mr Cannon is also bringing action against London's Old Vic theatre.

The actor was artistic director there between 2004 and 2015. Spacey, 66, has denied allegations of wrongdoing.

He has formally denied two of the claims and is yet to file a defence to the court in the third, which was submitted in September. In 2023, Spacey was acquitted of nine sex offences relating to four men in a criminal trial.

At a preliminary hearing for the civil cases at the High Court on Wednesday, Mrs Justice Lambert set a provisional three-week window for all three to be heard there in October 2026. She said it is still to be determined whether the claims are heard in a single trial, or in three consecutive trials.

Lawyers had made arguments for and against hearing the cases together. Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, representing Mr Cannon and the other two claimants, known as LNP and GHI, said in written submissions that hearing the cases together would prevent Spacey and witnesses from having to give evidence more than once.

William McCormick KC, representing Spacey, said the case brought by the man known as LNP should be heard in the county court, separate from that of Mr Cannon and the third man. In written submissions, 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.".