Harry’s war with Murdoch in court after delay


Prince Harry is due to appear at the trial against Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Photo: Getty
Prince Harry’s High Court case against Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper group is due to return to court amid speculation about a potential settlement.
Harry, and former British Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, are bringing legal action against News Group Newspapers over allegations of unlawful information gathering by journalists and private investigators between 1996 to 2011.
NGN, which also ran the now-defunct News Of The World, denies any unlawful activity at The Sun.
The trial was due get underway on Tuesday (local time) but delays meant that it remains unopened, amid speculation over whether the prince and Watson have settled their claims.
After two earlier requests for adjournments on Tuesday, thought to be related to settlement discussions, Justice Fancourt refused a third request for a delay as both sides had had “ample time to seek to resolve their differences”.
Following a short break, lawyers for both sides asked for the green light to challenge the judge’s decision to not provide a further delay.
NGN’s barrister Anthony Hudson said the parties “have been involved in very intense negotiations over the last few days and the reality is we are very close”, adding that there were “time difference difficulties” – thought to be a reference to Harry, who lives in California.
“Very unusually, both parties are in complete agreement that this is a very important step,” he said.
“The number of times the parties have been in agreement in this litigation are very few and far between.”
He said there was a “very substantial sum” on the line if the trial began before the “very intense negotiations” were completed.
Under British civil law, if damages awarded to a successful claimant are less than the settlement amount previously offered by a defendant, the claimant may have to pay the legal costs for all sides. Losing the case could make a claimant liable for damages and costs.
Actor Hugh Grant reluctantly settled a similar case last year.
“News Group are claiming they are entirely innocent of the things I had accused the Sun of doing,” he wrote on X at the time.
“As is common with entirely innocent people, they are offering me an enormous sum of money to keep this matter out of court.
“The rules around civil litigation mean that if I proceed to trial and the court awards me damages that are even a penny less than the settlement offer, I would have to pay the legal costs of both sides.
“Even if every allegation is proven in court, I would still be liable for something approaching £10 million ($19 million) in costs. I’m afraid I am shying at that fence.”
Grant’s was one of more than 1300 lawsuits settled by NGN that also involve other celebrities, politicians, well-known sports figures and ordinary people who were connected to them or major events.
Justice Fancourt said he would not allow both sides to go to the Court of Appeal over his decision, but that he would not “stand in the way of access to justice” if they wanted to ask appeal judges for the green light.
The hearing was due to resume on Wednesday at 10am (9pm AEDT).
-with AAP