HC Deb 29 March 1920 vol 127 c912W
Mr. DAVISON

asked the Attorney-General whether persons prosecuted in a court of law and found innocent are entitled to reimbursement for any loss occasioned by their attendance at court?

Sir G. HEWART

Apart from the possibility of an action being brought for malicious prosecution, the answer to this question is in the negative. But there are certain exceptional cases:e.g., prosecutions for defamatory libel and proceedings under the Vexatious Indictments Act where the magistrate has refused to commit for trial, in which the prosecutor may be ordered to pay an acquitted defendant's costs.