Achi news desk-
Bruce Lehrman is expected to face a multi-million dollar legal bill when a judge decides who will pay for the bulk of his defamation case against Ten.
In April, the former Liberal staffer suffered a huge legal loss after the Federal Court found that the allegation that he raped Brittany Higgins in a Parliament House office in March 2019 was likely true.
The 28-year-old sued for defamation for a report in February 2021 on the subject the project in which journalist Lisa Wilkinson interviewed Higgins about the rape accusation.
Since the findings against Lerman, the parties have disagreed as to the legal costs and who should pay what is expected to amount to a significant legal bill for the lengthy and standardized case.
Judge Michael Lee will rule on the issue today, with Lerman expected to be required to pay at least some of Ten Wilkinson’s costs.
Earlier this week, the court heard that he has no financial backers and that his lawyers agreed that they should not be paid if he loses the case.
Esher will be required to pay Wilkinson at least part of the legal expenses incurred in retaining her lawyers.
After that, the chain could claim it back against Lerman as part of its expenses.
However, a judge will be appointed to examine whether the journalist could have avoided unnecessary costs in the way she managed her case.
Lerman has until May 31 to appeal the determination of the defamation case.
