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Interest of JusticeThe Leeuwarden Files

Court rulings & orders · On the timeline

Letter
25 Aug 2026

C/17/190788 · District Court of the Northern Netherlands, Leeuwarden

Court sets the hearing timetable and livestream rules

District Court (Leeuwarden)

Court decision · binding on the parties

In 30 seconds

The court's letter deciding who may join the hearing online, how the livestream will work, and the minute-by-minute timetable for 22 October 2026.

Cheat sheet

  1. Bourla (living in the US) and Van Cann and Jansen (citing safety) may take part online.
  2. Kant's request to join online was refused; the court found travel within the Netherlands no reason for an exception.
  3. No party will be shown on camera in the livestream, but everyone will be audible.
  4. Timetable — opening 12.30, claimants 12.45, defendants 1.15, questions from the court 2.55, second rounds, end around 17.30.
  5. Parties must say two weeks ahead how many people they will bring.

Key passages · underlined

In assessing these requests, the court emphasises that an oral hearing at which all parties are physically present is always preferable and must therefore be the starting point.
Why it matters The rule the court applied to every request to take part by video.Page 1 · TheNetherlandsCase.com copy
In accordance with the Press Guidelines 2025, the parties will therefore not be shown on camera in the live stream. However, the presiding judge has rejected the request not to be audible in the live stream, as it would undermine the public nature of the oral hearing if not everyone could be heard.
Why it matters Viewers will hear every party, including the defendants who asked to stay silent on the stream.Page 2 · TheNetherlandsCase.com copy
1.15 pm: first round of the defendants (Hofstra et al. 30 minutes, Van der Voort-Kant, Bourla, Van Cann et al. and Gates 10 minutes each)
Why it matters Shows how the time was split — the government side took its full 30 minutes, the others 10 each.Page 2 · TheNetherlandsCase.com copy

Every defendant denies the claims, and the court has not ruled on them. Allegations are the claimants' pleaded positions, quoted as theirs. This is analysis and commentary, not legal advice. Interest of Justice is not a party to the case.

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