Kevin Spacey to face civil sexual assault claims in London High Court in 2026

Three men sue Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey in the UK High Court, alleging assaults from 2000 to 2013; a provisional 2026 trial date has been scheduled in London.

London High Court prepares for civil sexual assault claims against Kevin Spacey in 2026

Three men have brought civil lawsuits in the UK alleging sexual assaults by actor Kevin Spacey, with events spanning from 2000 to 2013. A provisional trial date is set for October 2026, and judges are weighing whether the cases should be heard together in one trial or as three separate proceedings.

Spacey denies all allegations. He has formally rejected two claims and has not yet filed a defense for a third. The actor was acquitted on multiple criminal charges in a separate London case in 2023.

Background of the civil claims

Two of the civil plaintiffs linked to the criminal case have already filed civil actions alongside the criminal proceedings. One claimant, identified as LNP, accuses Spacey of roughly a dozen assaults on him between 2000 and 2005.

The second claimant, named as GHI, says an encounter in 2008 at a workshop connected to the Old Vic theatre caused psychiatric harm and financial loss. Spacey served as artistic director of the Old Vic from 2004 to 2013.

The third claimant, Ruari Cannon, has chosen to go public with his identity. He alleges Spacey groped him at a party following the press night for the 2013 production of Sweet Bird of Youth at the Old Vic. Cannon later appeared in Channel 4’s Spacey Unmasked (2024).

Spacey responded to the allegations by stating they are “ridiculous and it never happened.”

Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, representing the plaintiffs, argued that a single trial would avoid placing the men and Spacey on the witness stand multiple times. The claimants have asked the court to avoid duplication of evidence where possible.

Spacey has previously acknowledged “bad behaviour” and being “too handsy” at times but rejected the word “grope.” In the 2023 criminal trial in London, he was acquitted of seven counts of sexual assault and related charges involving non-consensual acts.

What to expect next

The court must decide whether the three cases will be consolidated into one trial or heard as separate proceedings, with a timetable that could shape how and when evidence is presented.

Both sides are preparing for a lengthy civil process that could run alongside ongoing discussions about the criminal case and Spacey’s public profile.

Key Takeaways

The High Court in London has scheduled a provisional trial date for October 2026 for three civil claims against Kevin Spacey.
Claimants allege sexual assaults spanning 2000–2013; some cases are linked to Spacey’s tenure at the Old Vic.
Spacey denies all allegations; he was acquitted in a separate criminal trial in 2023.
Judges are considering whether to hear the cases in one trial or as three consecutive trials.

Expert comment

Legal analyst Dr. Maya Reed notes that civil proceedings can proceed independently of criminal trials, and a consolidated trial could streamline testimony but complicate strategy for both sides.

Summary

The upcoming civil actions against Kevin Spacey in the UK High Court mark a new phase in a long-running dispute. With a provisional 2026 date, both sides will press their arguments as they seek a clear path for the civil cases, potentially in a single or sequential format, while Spacey continues to navigate his public image. The outcomes will influence how similar cases are handled in UK courts in the coming years.