Bruce Lehrmann liable for Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson’s legal fees
Bruce Lehrmann has been ordered to pay the majority of both Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson’s legal costs; a bill that will run into the millions.
Last month, the network and Wilkinson were found not guilty of defaming Bruce Lehrmann during a 2021 television interview with Brittany Higgins, and a subsequent Logies speech.
Justice Michael Lee reaffirmed his belief there were “no real winners” in this defamation case, and noted Network 10’s “conduct was not justifiable in any broader sense”, saying “a publication is not reasonable simply because it turns out to be true in some respects”.
However, Lee ruled that Lehrmann brought the defamation suit on a “false basis”, and lied to police.
“He wrongly instructed his senior counsel to cross examine the complainant of sexual assault in two legal proceedings, including relevantly for present purposes, in this case, on a knowingly false premise.”
Lehrmann has been ordered to pay the costs “on an indemnity basis” aside from the costs of Ten’s qualified privilege defence, which was thrown out.
Ten and Wilkinson will have to submit their legal costs by May 24, after which the amount Lehrmann is on the hook for will be determined.
Mumbrella has contacted Network 10 for comment.
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Nathan Jolly is the Deputy Editor of Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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