Then, it's not unusual for the court's order to be ignored; civil contempt proceedings are somewhat rare.

They have been ordered to appear Wednesday or face the possibility of contempt proceedings.

Congress often threatens contempt proceedings, but no top Government official has ever been prosecuted on such a charge.

The total cost to the Government to date, excluding the contempt proceedings and officials' time, is calculated at £2,221,503.

Only the expiration of the time for the investigation saved them from possible contempt proceedings.

Soon after that, he and two other judges conducting the contempt proceedings began increasing individual jail sentences to 13 days, from 7.

"So, you see, there will be no further grand jury investigation or contempt proceedings."

A further 23 individuals have also been the subject of contempt proceedings.

A violation of the original order would invite contempt proceedings.

One official said he had "good reason to believe that North was facing contempt proceedings."