Bruce Lehrmann Defamation LIVE: Judges flog Lisa Wilkinson and Ten in brutal costs hearing

Bruce Lehrmann lost his successful defamation trial in Federal Court on April 15 when Judge Michael Lee found that he had violated civil law. Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019.

The discovery was a hard blow for Lehrmann, who launched the defamation action in an attempt to clear his name.

Lehramnn has been out of work since early 2021, when Higgins first went public with rape allegations against her in an interview with Lisa Wilkinson on Network Ten’s The Project.

But, as the loser of the trial, he is now expected to cover his opponent’s legal fees.

Wilkinson’s husband, Peter FitzSimons, charged Lehrmann $4,616 because he was asked to produce documents relating to Ms. Higgins’ $325,000. Book deal with Penguin Random House before the trial.

FitzSimon negotiated his deal in a three-way auction between two other major publishers in early 2021.

Last week, Judge Lee ordered Lehrmann to pay the full amount to Mr. FitzSimons.

Wilkinson’s lawyer, Sue Chrysanthou SC, charges $8,000 a day and her total bill was worth more than $700,000 in October, two months before the month-long defamation hearing.

Since then, Ms Chrysanthou attended court almost every day of the month-long hearing in December. Her price is now likely worth more than $1 million.

There are also legal costs for both parties and the fees of Network Ten’s lawyer, Matthew Collins KC.

The total cost of the case is estimated at $10 million.