Prince Harry and Claimants Face Millions in Legal Costs

Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants, including Elton John and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, are awaiting a High Court ruling on interim legal costs after losing privacy lawsuits against Associated Newspapers Limited, the publisher of the Daily Mail.

Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the cases on July 7, ruling that the claimants failed to prove the publisher obtained information unlawfully. During a two-day hearing on July 29, Associated Newspapers reported total legal bills exceeding £34 million and requested an interim payment of approximately £10 million. The publisher's lawyer, Antony White, argued that costs should be awarded on an indemnity basis, claiming the lawsuit was an inappropriate campaign designed to pressure the government into introducing the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry.

Lawyers for the claimants, including Nicolas Bacon, contested the amount as excessive and offered an interim payment of approximately £8 million by August 28. The claimants' insurance reportedly covers £16 million. Mr Justice Nicklin described the costs as unprecedented and stated that the claimants would be paying a sum of money to be confirmed in his judgment.

Prince Harry characterized the original ruling as a complete and obvious whitewash. The judge is expected to issue a written ruling during the week of August 17, with any mandated interim payment due by August 28.