Court delays judgment on evicting Occupy protesters

The High Court has reserved its decision on the City of London Corporation's attempt to evict anti-capitalist protesters from outside St Paul's Cathedral.

After a five-day hearing, Mr Justice Lindblom said he would not rule before 11 January on whether to grant orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London.

The Corporation has said there was an "overwhelming" case for the court's intervention. But Michael Paget, speaking for the representative defendant Tammy Samede, said the case raised an issue of "extreme public importance" and that freedom of expression was a liberty which must be guarded by the courts.

He added that the camp did not prevent worship at St Paul's and any impact it did have was not solely detrimental.

"Politicians, members of the public and commentators have expressed support for the camp's presence and the sentiments behind it," he said.