Mark O’Brien Legal

A defamation case over Facebook comments that described the Liverpool City Council mayor as a “grub” and a “crim” has been tossed for failing to pass the serious harm test.

Network Ten has won $2 million in costs against Bruce Lehrmann in his failed defamation case over the broadcaster’s coverage of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations, after agreeing to a substantial haircut on its $3.7 million legal bill.

Former Network Ten Lisa Wilkinson in seeking $1.8 million in costs in Bruce Lehrmann’s failed defamation case over an episode of The Project that aired Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations.

Network Ten has largely succeeded in its bid for indemnity costs against Bruce Lehrmann for his failed defamation case over allegations he raped former colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, allegations the broadcaster proved at trial were true.

Bruce Lehrmann had no behind-the-scenes financial backer for his failed and costly defamation case against Network Ten but had entered a no win, no fee arrangement with his solicitors, a court has heard.

The judge overseeing Bruce Lehrmann’s failed defamation case against Network Ten has slammed as misleading comments that his judgment vindicated the broadcaster, and questioned whether the remarks disentitled it to maximum defence costs.

Bruce Lehrmann has been given extra time to file any appeal of a ruling he raped colleague Brittany Higgins but in the meantime the former political staffer must hand over information on who funded his defamation case against Network Ten, which is likely to see him on the hook for millions of dollars in costs.

Bruce Lehrmann has agreed to pay author Peter FitzSimons’ costs of complying with a subpoena in the former Liberal staffer’s failed defamation case against Network Ten and FitzSimons’ wife Lisa Wilkinson.

Network Ten has argued accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann should pay indemnity costs from the date he launched his unsuccessful defamation case, saying he brought it on a “deliberately wicked and calculated basis”.

A judge has found that former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in ex-defence minister Linda Reynolds’ ministerial office, saying he was “indifferent to her consent”, despite finding both witnesses had credit issues.