Breaking: Rebekah Vardy Settles £1.2M of Coleen Rooney’s Legal Costs in ‘Wagatha Christie’ Libel Case; Hearing to Determine Assessment Costs
Wagatha Christie: Rebekah Vardy Settles Legal Costs with Coleen Rooney
In a dramatic twist to the high-profile ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel battle, Rebekah Vardy has agreed to pay a significant amount of Coleen Rooney’s legal costs, a UK costs judge has been informed. The reveal comes months after Mrs. Rooney successfully defended Mrs. Vardy’s High Court claim last year.
£1.2 million Settlement
Rebekah Vardy’s barrister, Juliet Wells, confirmed in written submissions ahead of a hearing on Tuesday that Mrs. Rooney’s legal bill, initially over £1.8 million, has since been settled at around £1.2 million, inclusive of interest. The agreed figure, comprising about £1.125 million plus £65,000 in interest, shows a substantial reduction from the initial sum.
Assessment Costs Dispute
Mrs. Rooney is now seeking assessment costs exceeding £300,000, a figure that Ms. Wells argues is “grossly disproportionate” and should be capped at no more than £100,000. The full amount will be determined by Costs Judge Mark Whalan at the hearing, which is expected to delve into lawyers’ hourly rates and other costs.
Reflecting on theBattle
Lawyers for Mrs. Rooney assert that Mrs. Vardy is “the author of her own misfortune” and should “reflect upon her approach”. Judge Whalan commended both sides for reaching an accommodation, stating that the agreed figure was “inclusive of VAT”. Neither Mrs. Vardy nor Mrs. Rooney is present at the remote hearing.
The Instagram Sting Operation
The bitter feud between the two women originated from a viral social media post by Mrs. Rooney in October 2019. She alleged a months-long “sting operation” that blamed Mrs. Vardy for leaking false information about her private life to The Sun newspaper. The tales exposed included a gender selection procedure in Mexico, a return to TV, and a basement flood at her home.
High Court Ruling
Following the high-profile trial, Mrs. Justice Steyn ruled in Mrs. Rooney’s favor, deeming it “likely” that Mrs. Vardy’s agent, Caroline Watt, passed information to The Sun, with Mrs. Vardy “knew of and condoned this behaviour” and engaged “actively”.
Did you know?
The ‘Wagatha Christie’ case has been deemed the most high-profile piece of libel litigation in England and Wales in recent years.
Pro Tips for Legal Cost Management in Sports Litigation
1. Careful Case Selection: Choose cases carefully to avoid unnecessarily lengthy or costly litigation.
2. Alternative Dispute Resolution: Explore mediation and arbitration to manage costs and settle disputes more quickly.
3. Regular Cost Updates: Keep clients informed of their potential legal costs throughout the process.
FAQs
- Q: Who was the judge in the Wagatha Christie case?
A: Mrs. Justice Steyn
- Q: What were the key stories leaked to The Sun?
A: Gender selection procedure, return to TV, basement flood
- Q: When did the libel claim start?
A: October 2019
While the Wagatha Christie saga continues, one thing is clear – thorough case assessment, considering alternative dispute resolution, and transparent cost management are vital in high-stakes sports litigation. As the legal costs in this case demonstrate, even successful defenses can come at a significant price.
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