Kevin Spacey to Face Civil Trials in 2026 Over Sexual Assault Allegations
LONDON – Kevin Spacey will defend himself against civil lawsuits from three men alleging sexual assault in trials scheduled to begin in October 2026 at the High court, a preliminary hearing revealed Wednesday. The cases stem from alleged incidents occurring between 2000 and 2015.
Ruari Cannon, who has publicly waived his anonymity, and two other claimants identified only as LNP and GHI, are bringing legal action against the 66-year-old actor. Cannon is also pursuing a separate claim against London‘s Old Vic theater, where Spacey served as artistic director from 2004 to 2015.
spacey has denied the allegations. He has formally responded to two of the claims and has yet to file a defense for the third, submitted in September. This growth follows his acquittal in 2023 of nine sex offense charges in a criminal trial involving four men.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Mrs Justice Lambert provisionally scheduled a three-week window for the trials, indicating they may be heard as a single case or in three consecutive proceedings.
Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, representing cannon and the other two claimants, argued that a joint trial would minimize repeated testimony from Spacey and witnesses. William McCormick KC, representing Spacey, countered that the case brought by LNP should be heard separately in the county court, citing notable differences in the alleged incidents.
“The only common feature is Kevin Spacey,” McCormick stated in written submissions. “The circumstances of the alleged assaults are markedly different and occur many years apart.”
