The Duke of Sussex and six other high-profile claimants are facing a substantial legal costs demand from Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail.
A judge is expected to determine how much each claimant must pay after the publisher secured a significant victory in the legal proceedings. According to The Telegraph, Associated Newspapers is seeking nearly £10 million in costs after criticising the claimants’ conduct during the case as “outrageous” and “unreasonable.”
Alongside Prince Harry, the group includes Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.
The publisher’s initial costs claim reportedly stands at exactly £9,950,624.37. The claimants have offered £8 million, leaving the two sides almost £2 million apart.
Associated Newspapers has also applied for the existing limit on recoverable costs to be removed through an indemnity costs order. Such an order could significantly increase the amount the claimants are required to pay.
The claimants reportedly hold after-the-event insurance policies worth a combined £2.35 million. Together, however, they could potentially be held responsible for approximately £14.1 million in costs if the publisher’s application succeeds.
Who Was Involved?
During the case, allegations of serious wrongdoing were made against 77 journalists, editors and other executives. However, the proceedings ultimately focused on the alleged involvement of only 23 individuals.
