Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants have been ordered to pay an interim £9.54m towards Associated Newspapers Limited's legal costs within seven days, following the dismissal of their high court case over alleged unlawful information gathering.
Mr Justice Nicklin ruled on the cost order after the claimants lost their case last month. The judge imposed what he described as an exceptional order, requiring the seven claimants to pay far in excess of the costs that had been agreed before trial.
The claimants in the case included the Duke of Sussex, Sir Elton John, Doreen Lawrence, and Liz Hurley, among others. Associated Newspapers Ltd, the publisher of the Daily Mail, strongly denied all allegations made against it.
The high court trial lasted 11 weeks and took place in London earlier this year. On July 7, Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed all claims brought by the claimants.
In his ruling on legal costs, the judge criticised how the claimants presented their claims, describing them as "unreasonable to a high degree." This assessment formed the basis for the exceptional cost order imposed against them.
The total potential legal bill facing the seven claimants could reach up to £34.5m, according to court filings. The £9.54m interim payment represents the first tranche of this larger sum.
The claimants have until October 2 to attempt to launch an appeal of the case dismissal.
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