Breaking: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor launches legal action over Epstein files arrest - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on his 66th birthday. (Reuters: Phil Noble)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against the police over his arrest in relation to the Epstein files earlier this year.

Britain's judicial office said a court hearing would take place on Thursday ​after the former prince and brother of King Charles requested that a judge examine ‌the lawfulness ⁠of search warrants that preceded his arrest ​in ‌February.

Britain's Thames ‌Valley Police issued a statement confirming they were ⁠engaged in legal proceedings.

"Whilst our investigation into misconduct in public office continues, we are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court," the brief statement said.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of leaking government documents to the late ​sex ‌offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was ⁠a special ‌representative for trade ‌between 2001 and 2011.

It is the first time a member of the royal family has challenged the lawfulness of criminal proceedings against them since King Charles I's trial in 1649.

The arrest of the senior royal, eighth in line to the throne, was also unprecedented in modern times.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at his Norfolk home in February this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

King Charles's younger brother was interviewed for almost 12 hours before he was released under investigation.

The focus of the inquiry is the former prince's role as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.

It followed the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) relating to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In the glut of files was several emails that appeared to show Mr Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded on sensitive materials to Epstein in 2010.

Being named in the Epstein files is not an indication of misconduct, but trade envoys are required to maintain confidentiality over sensitive, commercial or political information related to their work.

The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and said he regretted their friendship.

He has made no public statement since his arrest.

In 2011, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor resigned as trade envoy.

Misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, can relate to any serious wrongdoing from sharing confidential information to corruption and sexual misconduct.

In May, Thames Valley Police assistant chief constable Oliver Wright said the force was also assessing reports that a woman was taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes after a lawyer for the alleged victim told the BBC she had been sent to Britain by Epstein for a sexual encounter with the former prince.

King Charles, who stripped his sibling of his titles and honours last October, said at the time of his brother's arrest that he was deeply concerned about the news.

He said authorities had the royal family's "full and wholehearted support and cooperation".