Catrine Jarman, the partner of Earl Spencer, has settled a High Court privacy claim against his ex-wife, Countess Karen Spencer. The archaeologist sued Countess Spencer in 2024 over allegations that she misused her private information by disclosing details of her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis to others.
In a statement read in open court on Thursday, lawyers for Ms Jarman said Countess Spencer had agreed to settle the claim in August last year without any admission of liability or wrongdoing. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Countess Spencer did not appear at the hearing and was not represented.
Speaking after the hearing, Ms Jarman said: 'I'm delighted to be able to move on with my life now. Your medical information is your own, and people are not allowed to speculate on that or share it.' Her solicitor, Dina Shiloh, told the court that Countess Spencer had been informed of the diagnosis by Ms Jarman's then-husband, Tom Jarman, in April 2024, and subsequently disclosed it to others while 'passing her own commentary upon it'.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Countess Spencer said she had been 'threatened with multiple legal claims' by Ms Jarman and Earl Spencer, which she believed were 'co-ordinated'. The spokesperson added that she accepted the settlement offer with no admission of liability, as Earl Spencer would indemnify her for associated costs. Ms Shiloh noted that Countess Spencer's incurred costs were 'yet to be determined and hotly disputed'.
Earl Spencer made a contribution to Ms Jarman's legal costs through a formal loan, and will also pay Countess Spencer's legal fees as part of an agreement in separate divorce proceedings. Ms Jarman expressed disappointment that Countess Spencer continued to deny liability, but said she was relieved the proceedings had ended. Mrs Justice Steyn, presiding, commented: 'I am glad to hear that the matter has concluded.'
