Prince Harry and others ordered to pay legal costs to Daily Mail publisher
Consensus Summary
Prince Harry, Elton John, and other claimants were ordered to pay an interim payment of 9.54 million British pounds ($17.88 million) to Associated Newspapers, the publisher of The Daily Mail, after losing a High Court case over privacy breaches. The judge dismissed their allegations, including claims of unlawful information gathering, and ruled the claimants must cover the publisher's legal costs, which totaled 34.5 million British pounds. The ruling followed an 11-week trial in London, with the interim payment due by 28 August. The case involved allegations dating back 30 years, and the claimants' insurance covered 16 million pounds ($30.4 million). The judge criticized the claimants' case as speculative and unsupported, while Associated Newspapers called it a victory for journalism.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Prince Harry, Elton John, and other claimants were ordered to pay an interim payment of 9.54 million British pounds ($17.88 million) in legal costs to Associated Newspapers (Daily Mail publisher).
- Associated Newspapers incurred a total legal bill of 34.5 million British pounds.
- The High Court judge dismissed the privacy lawsuits against The Daily Mail last month.
- The case involved allegations of privacy breaches dating back 30 years.
- The ruling was made by Justice Matthew Nicklin.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The judge ruled the outstanding amount should be paid on an 'indemnity basis', meaning the claimants must cover costs without proof of reasonableness.
- Prince Harry and claimants had an insurance policy covering 16 million pounds ($30.4 million).
- Associated Newspapers' lawyer argued the claimants' allegations were 'egregious' and unsupported, adding to costs.
- The court hearing in July mentioned Associated's legal bill of 34.5 million British pounds ($65.6 million).
- The claimants included Prince Harry, Elton John, and five other high-profile figures.
- The interim payment is due by 4pm on 28 August.
- The case involved allegations of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking.
- The trial lasted 11 weeks in London earlier this year.
- Claimants included Doreen Lawrence alongside Prince Harry and Elton John.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC article states the case involved privacy breaches dating back 30 years, but the Guardian does not mention this timeframe.
- The ABC article mentions a $17.8m figure alongside $17.88 million, while the Guardian only uses £9.54m without the $17.88 million equivalent.
- The ABC article specifies the claimants included 'five other high-profile figures,' while the Guardian lists 'six other high-profile claimants' (including Doreen Lawrence).
Source Articles
Prince Harry and others ordered to pay $17.8m legal costs to Daily Mail publisher
The rejected lawsuit, brought by Prince Harry, singer Elton John and five other figures, alleged that the Mail had engaged in widespread unlawful activities, such as phone hacking.
Prince Harry and others ordered to pay interim £9.5m to Daily Mail publisher
Judge orders payment within seven days towards legal costs in failed case over alleged unlawful information gathering The Duke of Sussex and six other high-profile claimants must make a £9.54m interim payment by 4pm on 28 August towards the Daily Mail publisher’s legal costs after losing their high court case over allegations of unlawful information gathering, a judge has ruled. Associated Newspapers Ltd strongly denied the claims made by Prince Harry and co-claimants including Doreen Lawrence a