Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas will appear in a London courtroom later this month to testify in a case involving the publication of their wedding photos, Reuters reports.

The couple is claiming "very substantial" damages after Hello!, a UK based celebrity magazine, published unauthorized photos of their November 2000 wedding. The film stars had sold the rights to their wedding coverage to the magazine's competitor, OK!, for a reported US$1.6 million.

Lawyer Michael Tugendhat said the famous pair's privacy had been breached and the poor quality of the unauthorized pictures caused them distress, during the preliminary hearing on Thursday.

The magazine claims it had the right to publish the photos that were offered to them on the open market.

The hearing date is set for January 27, and Tugendhat said his clients intend to be present for the entire proceeding.

Zeta-Jones has just received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Chicago, and is expecting the couple's second child within weeks.


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