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Higgins Ordered to Pay Lion’s Share of Defamed Senator’s Legal Bill
Justice Paul Tottle ruled Brittany Higgins must pay 80% of Linda Reynolds's legal costs after defamation findings in social media posts, with damages awarded at $315,000 plus interest.
- The Western Australian Supreme Court ruled that Brittany Higgins must cover the majority of the legal expenses incurred by ex-senator Linda Reynolds after finding that Higgins defamed her through social media posts made in 2022 and 2023.
- Reynolds sued Higgins over posts alleging misconduct including mishandling a rape allegation, which caused Reynolds distress following prior ill health, while Higgins rejected the claims and offered a $200,000 settlement days before trial that Reynolds rejected.
- Justice Paul Tottle found the posts defamatory, discounted Reynolds' requested costs by 20 per cent due to some unproven claims, and labeled the rejected settlement offer as unreasonable because it lacked an apology and compensation.
- Ms. Reynolds received a financial settlement of $341,000 plus interest, while both sides faced potentially multi-million dollar legal fees, leading Reynolds to remortgage her Perth residence and Higgins to sell their French chateau.
- The parties have reached a confidential resolution to end their disputes but acknowledge the proceedings caused additional distress, and Higgins must cover most of Reynolds' legal costs as justice was served by the payment order.
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Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Higgins ordered to pay lion’s share of defamed senator’s legal bill
Brittany Higgins has been ordered to pay the majority of ex-senator Linda Reynolds’ legal costs after a court found she defamed her former boss in a series of social media posts in 2023.
·Sydney, Australia
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Brittany Higgins ordered to pay 80% of Linda Reynolds’ costs in defamation case
Save (1) Please login to bookmarkClose Username or Email Address Password Remember Me Brittany Higgins must cover 80 per cent of Linda Reynolds’ legal costs on top of $315,000 in damages the former senator was awarded in her defamation case over social media posts that implied she mishandling Higgins’ rape allegations against Bruce Lehrmann. Subscribe to Lawyerly to access this article.Already a subscriber? Username o…
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left5Leaning Right6Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 42%
R 50%
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