Bruce Lehrmann has been pressured to disclose paperwork that present whether or not or not his multi-million greenback defamation case was funded by a secret monetary backer.
Decide Michael Lee presided over the listening to on Wednesday after Community Ten issued authorized calls for to research whether or not any third social gathering funded the case.
Final month, Decide Lee discovered that Mr. Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins on the stability of chances within the civil case.
However his authorized crew have now revealed there is no such thing as a win and no charge settlement, that means his attorneys is not going to be paid.
The entire value of the defamation lawsuit may complete $10 million.
However to at the present time, Mr. Lehrmann has not paid a greenback for his personal authorized crew.
Relating to the third-party settlement involving secret monetary assist, his authorized crew mentioned there was none.
“Your honor, there aren’t any paperwork out there as a result of we learn that paragraph as requiring the manufacturing of any third social gathering settlement to pay the applicant’s prices,” his lawyer Paul Svilans advised the court docket.
“Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a such factor.
The one value settlement was on a no-win-no-fee foundation.
“There’s solely an settlement on prices between my firm and the applicant. This Settlement doesn’t confer with any third social gathering. I’ve a replica right here and I shall be pleased to current it to your honor so that you can have a look at if it fits you,” Mr. Svilans mentioned.
Decide Lee mentioned it appeared from the doc that there was no secret backer.
“It was due to this fact a contingent prices settlement the place there was no obligation to pay an quantity of prices within the occasion of (a loss),” Decide Lee mentioned.
“I intend to present judgment on prices on Friday at 2.15pm.
“Many prices have been incurred however can’t be recovered as a result of Mr. Lehrmann…misplaced. And there’s no third social gathering settlement to pay the prices.”
Mr Lehrmann was beforehand given a deadline to enchantment the choice, with the brand new deadline being Could 31.
‘chapter’ a chance for Bruce Lehrmann
Decide Michael Lee raised the prospect that Bruce Lehrmann could be unable to pay Ten’s $5 million in court docket prices and be pressured into chapter 11.
If pressured into chapter 11, it may additionally have an effect on the previous Liberal staffer’s capability to enchantment his conviction for raping Brittany Higgins, as appeals are topic to strict guidelines that will embody proof of the plaintiff’s monetary capability to pay authorized prices that weren’t utilized. throughout the unique civil course of.
Information.com.au beforehand revealed Mr Lehrmann had employed well-known appeals specialist Man Reynolds SC to look at the decision.
Throughout the court docket listening to in Sydney, lawyer Ten Matt Collins KC expressed concern that a lot of the authorized arguments had been “educational” as a result of Mr Lehrmann wouldn’t be capable of meet the prices, that are estimated at $5 million to $6 million.
“Or someone has to go and bankrupt Mr. Lehrmann or do one thing like that,” mentioned Dr. Collins.
Decide Lee additionally mentioned how Lisa Wilkinson ought to have her authorized payments paid by Ten, following her court docket victory on the matter.
“He’s entitled to a verify from Community 10 earlier than he waits to see if Mr. Lehrmann comes up with any cash or if he’s in chapter,” Decide Lee mentioned.
