Prince Harry is demanding a second High Court hacking trial against Mirror newspapers unless the group meets his compensation demands, as revealed in court proceedings. The Duke of Sussex, who became the first royal in over a century to testify in the High Court last year, was partially successful in the initial trial and awarded £140,000 by the judge. The court concluded that 15 out of 33 articles had originated from hacking, with the remaining 17 articles dismissed. Now, Prince Harry intends to pursue the remaining 115 articles in a second trial lasting seven to ten days. The cost hearing disclosed that legal fees for Prince Harry and the other claimants have already totaled £2 million.
Two former Coronation Street stars who joined Prince Harry in the first trial are now facing a £242,000 legal bill. Michael Turner, one of the actors, sought £175,000 in damages but was awarded £31,650. Actress Nikki Sanderson and Fiona Wightman had their claims dismissed as they were deemed to have been made too late. The court has not yet addressed legal costs related to Prince Harry, but his lawyer, David Sherborne, argued that the claimant group had been overwhelmingly successful and should receive nearly £2 million in costs from the Mirror. The judge, Mr. Justice Fancourt, is set to make a ruling on the matter at a later date.
The court proceedings also revealed that Prince Harry turned down an offer from the Mirror to settle the case before going to trial. Harry had been seeking compensation between £440,000 and £570,000. Despite the legal complexities, he declared himself a “dragon slayer” and vowed to continue his crusade against press intrusion after the judge ruled that he had been a victim of hacking.
