Prince Harry is set to learn the financial consequences of his failed court battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail, as a judge prepares to rule on legal costs this week. The Duke of Sussex, 41, was among seven claimants, including Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost, who took Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) to court over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
The case collapsed last month when Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed all claims following an 11-week trial at London's High Court. Harry and Baroness Doreen Lawrence criticised the outcome, calling it a “complete and obvious whitewash” and stating: “We came to court seeking justice and accountability. But we have received neither.”
Costs ruling expected this week
The judge is expected to hand down his decision on costs this week, with tens of millions of pounds at stake. The High Court was told last month that ANL had incurred around £34.5 million in costs.
The publisher sought an interim payment of almost £10 million from the claimants, while their lawyers offered £8 million and confirmed insurance coverage of up to £16 million. That could still leave a substantial shortfall, although the final amount remains in the court's hands.
Payment deadline set
At the conclusion of the costs hearing, Mr Justice Nicklin said he would determine a “global” interim sum to be divided between the seven claimants, with payment due by August 28.
Another key question is whether ANL's costs will be assessed on the standard or indemnity basis, with the publisher pushing for the latter. Lawyers for the claimants accepted that a costs order should follow their defeat but argued that indemnity costs would not be justified.
Arguments over a potential appeal have been deferred until the financial issues are settled, leaving the immediate focus on the potentially eye-watering bill.
