Notably, Prince Harry made history by becoming the first royal in over a century to testify in the witness box during the high-profile trial. The trial, which lasted seven weeks, involved four claimants, with Judge Timothy F Court ruling that approximately half of the stories about the Duke of Sussex examined in court resulted from unlawful acts. However, the trial only delved into 33 of the 147 articles that Harry argues were obtained unlawfully.
While Prince Harry is willing to attempt a resolution through agreement, his legal team emphasizes the need to schedule the trial for the remaining claims promptly. Harry's lawyer, David Sherban, urged the court to issue trial directions as soon as possible. On the other hand, Mirror Group's lawyers stated in a written submission that undisclosed settlement offers have been extended to Prince Harry to resolve the bulk of the claims.
During Monday's hearing, significant focus was placed on arguments concerning legal costs from the previous trial. Prince Harry's individual costs will be addressed upon the conclusion of the lawsuit. Lawyers representing Harry and other claimants are seeking nearly £2 million to cover fees for the generic action against the publisher. The group is currently pursuing payment of £1,976,660 from MGN (Mirror Group Newspapers) for legal costs related to the case.
David Sherban, representing the group, highlighted their overwhelming success in the trial, emphasizing that decisions about costs in Prince Harry's case against the publisher would be reserved until the remainder of his claim was determined. The article speculates on the financial implications for Prince Harry, suggesting that his legal fees and potential settlement costs may strain his income sources. It also touches on the ongoing negotiations, estimating a 10-day trial for the remaining 115 claims. The Mirror's strategy is portrayed as an attempt to push Prince Harry to the brink, making him expend additional resources in legal costs and potentially leading to a settlement.
The article concludes by referencing previous claims that Harry's legal funding is allegedly supported by Mosley, son of the late Max Mosley. It notes that the Mirror is aware dragging Harry back into the witness box for an extended period is unlikely, especially with the potential presence of weaker claims among the remaining 115.
