The ex-News International gang were back in court today.

Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks, two other editors and three more journalists plus PI Glenn Mulcaire have been scheduled for trial to commence in September 2013, accused of conspiracy to unlawfully intercept communications.

Prosecutors allege that there are more than 600 victims of their actions.

Andy Coulson has further charges pending trial in Scotland.

Rebekah Brooks also has further charges pending and is accused, along with her husband and five others, of perverting the course of justice on charges that relate to an alleged attempt to hide evidence from police investigating phone-hacking claims and illegal payments to public officials by the News of the World and the Sun. All are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey.

It is hoped that our non-plebian boys-in-blue keep a very close eye on their collective whereabouts. Lesser crims would have to endure much stricter bail conditions and even detention whilst awaiting trial.

Especially given their alleged propensity to commit additional crimes whilst on bail awaiting trial for other offences.

Glenn Mulcaire recently won his civil case against News International, thereby re-securing their ongoing obligation to have to pay his legal fees after they had tried to renege on the deal. It would be hard to believe that the other ex-News International luminaries do not have similar binding agreements in place.

The BBC are stating that there are large volumes of information that cannot be reported publicly at this stage as today's hearing is principally for case management of what will be a large and complex set of trials.

Let us hope that matters are not made so complex that a jury cannot understand them and thereby fail to reach a proper judgment.