Kevin Spacey Fowler · criminal prosecution · civil litigation · sexual offence allegations
What did the courts decide in Kevin Spacey's 2023 London criminal trial and in the Rapp and London civil claims?
On 26 July 2023 a jury at Southwark Crown Court found Kevin Spacey not guilty on all nine counts it considered, which related to allegations by four men. In a separate US civil case, a federal jury in Manhattan found on 20 October 2022 that he was not liable on Anthony Rapp's claim. Spacey has denied all the allegations. Three further civil claims in the High Court in London were settled on undisclosed terms in March 2026, with no admission of liability reported.
Last verified 30 October 2026. United Kingdom · United States
The record at a glance
| What was alleged? | The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges in May 2022 of sexual offences against three men in London and Gloucestershire between 2005 and 2013, and in November 2022 further charges relating to a fourth man between 2001 and 2004. In New York, actor Anthony Rapp brought a civil claim for battery relating to 1986.1,2,3 |
|---|---|
| Who made the claim? | Crown Prosecution Service, and Anthony Rapp (civil plaintiff), 26 May 2022 |
| How did Kevin Spacey respond? | Spacey denied the charges and the civil claims. Before the UK trial he said he was entitled to a fair trial and innocent until proven otherwise, and that he would appear voluntarily. After the verdict he said he was humbled by the outcome and thanked the jury.4,5,6 (the subject's position) |
| Was there an official finding? | A Southwark Crown Court jury found Spacey not guilty on all nine counts on 26 July 2023.4,6,8 A federal civil jury in New York found him not liable on Anthony Rapp's claim on 20 October 2022.2 Three civil claims in the High Court in London were stayed on settlement terms set out in a confidential schedule, by an order dated 13 March 2026.9 |
| Was liability determined? | No. The subject was acquitted. Found not guilty by jury on all nine criminal counts in England on 26 July 2023. Found not liable by a civil jury in New York on 20 October 2022. The London civil claims were stayed in March 2026 on confidential settlement terms, with no court finding on the claims and no admission of liability reported.2,8,9 |
| What changed later? | As of 30 October 2026 no court has found Spacey guilty or liable in these proceedings, and no case in this file is pending.2,8,9 |
| When was this checked? | 30 October 2026 |
What was alleged?
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges in May 2022 of sexual offences against three men in London and Gloucestershire between 2005 and 2013, and in November 2022 further charges relating to a fourth man between 2001 and 2004. In New York, actor Anthony Rapp brought a civil claim for battery relating to 1986.1,2,3
Made by Crown Prosecution Service, and Anthony Rapp (civil plaintiff) on 26 May 2022.
What did Kevin Spacey say?
Spacey denied the charges and the civil claims. Before the UK trial he said he was entitled to a fair trial and innocent until proven otherwise, and that he would appear voluntarily. After the verdict he said he was humbled by the outcome and thanked the jury.4,5,6
"I'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence"
Kevin Spacey, outside Southwark Crown Court (reported by NPR), 26 July 2023. This is the subject's own account, not a finding.
What do independent records show?
Charging decision announcement
Crown Prosecution Service, 26 May 2022
Authorised four counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent, relating to three complainants. The CPS stated that criminal proceedings were active and that he had the right to a fair trial.1
Jury verdict, Rapp v. Fowler
US District Court for the Southern District of New York (jury), Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, 20 October 2022
The jury found Spacey not liable on Rapp's claim, which sought $40 million in damages.2
Announcement of additional charges
Crown Prosecution Service, 16 November 2022
Authorised seven further charges relating to one complainant and the period 2001 to 2004.3,7
Jury verdicts, R v Spacey Fowler
Southwark Crown Court (jury), presided by Judge Mark Wall, 26 July 2023
Not guilty on all nine counts before the jury, concerning four complainants.4,6,8
Order staying civil claims by three men following settlement
High Court of England and Wales, Judge Christina Lambert, 13 March 2026
Stayed the proceedings on the terms set out in the order and a confidential schedule after the parties agreed settlement terms. The court made no order on costs. The reported order contains no finding on the claims.9
What was established?
- A Southwark Crown Court jury found Spacey not guilty on all nine counts on 26 July 2023.4,6,8
- A federal civil jury in New York found him not liable on Anthony Rapp's claim on 20 October 2022.2
- Three civil claims in the High Court in London were stayed on settlement terms set out in a confidential schedule, by an order dated 13 March 2026.9
Distinctions that matter here
- A criminal acquittal means the prosecution did not prove guilt to the criminal standard.
- A civil verdict for the defendant means the plaintiff did not prove the claim on the balance of probabilities. It is a separate proceeding.
- A settlement ends a civil claim without a court finding and is not an admission unless its terms say so.
Was liability determined?
No. The subject was acquitted. Found not guilty by jury on all nine criminal counts in England on 26 July 2023. Found not liable by a civil jury in New York on 20 October 2022. The London civil claims were stayed in March 2026 on confidential settlement terms, with no court finding on the claims and no admission of liability reported.2,8,9
What remains unresolved?
No open questions identified in the available records.
What is the current status?
As of 30 October 2026 no court has found Spacey guilty or liable in these proceedings, and no case in this file is pending.2,8,9
As of 30 October 2026. No next proceeding is scheduled in the records we found.
Timeline
- CPS authorises five charges relating to three complainants.1
- New York civil jury finds Spacey not liable on Rapp's claim.2
- CPS announces seven further charges relating to a fourth complainant.3,7
- Jury returns not guilty verdicts on all nine counts.6,8
- High Court order stays three civil claims after settlement on confidential terms.9
Sources
- Crown Prosecution Service, CPS authorises sexual assault charges against Kevin Spacey, 26 May 2022 · document record Government, parliamentary or audit document
- FOX 5 New York, Jury finds Kevin Spacey did not molest actor Anthony Rapp in 1986 (Associated Press), 20 October 2022 Independent reporting
- Crown Prosecution Service, CPS authorises additional charges against Kevin Spacey, 16 November 2022 · document record Government, parliamentary or audit document
- The Irish Times, Kevin Spacey acquitted of all sexual offence charges in London trial (Reuters), 26 July 2023 Independent reporting
- ABC7 New York, Actor Kevin Spacey found not guilty on sexual assault charges in London, 26 July 2023 Independent reporting
- NPR, Actor Kevin Spacey is cleared of nine sex offenses in a London court, 26 July 2023 Independent reporting
- ITV News, Kevin Spacey charged with seven additional sexual offences, 16 November 2022 Independent reporting
- CBC News, Spacey verdict in UK trial, 26 July 2023 Independent reporting
- WTOP, Kevin Spacey settles out of court with 3 men over alleged sexual assaults (Associated Press), 18 March 2026 Independent reporting
Revision history
- 30 October 2026: First published after source verification.
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