Contempt of court
From Common law
Procedure and evidence
What it means
Behaviour that disobeys a court order or interferes with justice, such as ignoring an injunction, disrupting a hearing, or publishing material that could prejudice a trial. The judge may punish it directly.
Why it travels badly
In common law, contempt is a single power rooted in the court's authority, and a judge can fine or jail without a separate trial. Civil-law systems usually spread the same ground across several different rules: criminal offences for insulting a judge, fines for disrupting a hearing, and penalty payments for ignoring a judgment.
How other systems say it
contempt of court
The Contempt of Court Act 1981 sets a 'strict liability' rule for publications that create a substantial risk of serious prejudice to a trial.
outrage à magistrat and astreinte
Insulting a judge is a crime. A judge can add an 'astreinte', a daily penalty, to force a party to comply.
Ordnungsmittel (§ 890 ZPO) and Ordnungsgeld (§ 178 GVG)
Fines or detention may be imposed for breaching an order, and fines for disrupting a hearing.
Tip for translators and students
Describe the conduct (disobeying an order, disrupting a hearing) rather than looking for one word in the target language.
Related: Injunction, Equity, Prosecutor
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
TheLawToKnow Tools’s glossary is an educational overview of the main differences between legal systems. It is not legal advice.
