Judge questions exorbitant costs in Prince Harry's phone hacking litigation
- A High Court judge raised concerns about the high costs of Prince Harry's phone hacking litigation during a preliminary hearing.
- The total costs for both sides in the case are projected to exceed £38 million, leading the judge to question the proportionality of such expenses.
- The legal teams have been advised to consider a settlement to avoid an extensive trial, though the claimants stress the importance of achieving both financial and non-monetary relief.
In the United Kingdom, a High Court judge has raised concerns regarding the substantial legal costs associated with Prince Harry's ongoing lawsuit against the publishers of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers Limited. This case, part of a broader fight against alleged unlawful practices by UK media, includes other prominent claimants such as Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley, and Baroness Lawrence, among others. During a preliminary hearing, Mr. Justice Nicklin highlighted the total projected costs exceeding £38 million for both sides, prompting him to question the proportionality of these expenses. The hearing underscored the significant financial implications for all parties involved in the litigation, and the judge suggested the possibility of reaching a settlement to avert a lengthy trial set for January 2026. However, lawyers for the claimants emphasized the importance of achieving non-monetary relief alongside financial restitution. This case echoes previous legal battles involving Prince Harry against media outlets, including his successful lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, where evidence of widespread phone hacking was acknowledged. Furthermore, the Duke of Sussex is preparing another lawsuit against News Group Newspapers, with a trial scheduled for January 2025. As Associated Newspapers Limited denies all allegations of wrongdoing and contests the case, the potential ramifications of escalating costs on both the plaintiffs and defendants remain a matter of concern in this high-profile legal battle.