The Prime Minister's ex-spin doctor Andy Coulson was among seven people in court yesterday over alleged phone hacking.
Six former members of staff from the defunct News of the World and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Coulson appeared in the dock along with ex-managing editor Stuart Kuttner, former news editor Greg Miskiw, former head of news Ian Edmondson, ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, former reporter James Weatherup and Mulcaire.
The six former NOTW staff face one general charge of alleged phone hacking between October 2000 and August 2006, that prosecutors claim could affect as many as 600 victims, along with other specific accusations.
They and Mulcaire spoke only to confirm names and addresses and are due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 26.
The seven defendants were released on bail.
Coulson, 42, from south-east London, is charged with conspiring to access messages of Milly Dowler, former Labour ministers David Blunkett and Charles Clarke, and George Best's son Calum.
Kuttner, 72, from Woodford Green, Essex, is accused in relation to Milly and Mr Blunkett; and Miskiw, 62, from Leeds, faces charges linked to figures such as Sven-Goran Eriksson, Abi Titmuss Sienna Miller and Wayne Rooney.
Edmondson, 43, from south-west London, faces charges in relation to people including Mr Blunkett, Rooney, Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.
Thurlbeck, 50, from Esher, Surrey, is accused over Milly, Eriksson, Mr Blunkett, Mr Clarke, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Mark Oaten, Tessa Jowell and Ms Mills.
Weatherup, 56, from Brentwood in Essex, is charged in relation to Mr Blunkett, Jude Law, Sadie Frost and Miller, Jolie and Pitt, Rooney, Lord Prescott and Sir Paul and Ms Mills.
Mulcaire, 41, from Sutton, south London, is charged over Milly, former union boss Andrew Gilchrist, Smith and Mr Clarke.
Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks will appear in court on September 3.
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