Coleen Rooney has revealed in court that her legal bill from the Wagatha Christie libel battle with Rebekah Vardy has exceeded £1.8 million. The case, which captured significant public attention, saw Mrs. Vardy lose the legal action she brought against Mrs. Rooney in July 2022. The feud began in 2019 when Mrs. Rooney accused Mrs. Vardy of sharing her private information with the media on social platforms – an accusation the court found to be substantially true.
Following the ruling, Mrs. Vardy was ordered to cover 90% of Mrs. Rooney’s legal expenses, with an initial payment of £800,000. However, the two parties have returned to court to dispute the total amount, with Mrs. Vardy’s legal team arguing against the £1,833,906.89 bill claimed by Mrs. Rooney. The dispute includes allegations of excessive costs, such as expenses incurred at a high-end hotel.
In a dramatic turn, Mrs. Vardy’s lawyer accused Mrs. Rooney’s legal bill of being drawn carelessly, with inflated charges and claims for costs she is not entitled to. The hearing, which took place in London, also highlighted the significant fees charged by Mrs. Rooney’s barrister throughout the legal proceedings.
The case stems from a viral post in October 2019, where Mrs. Rooney alleged that she had conducted a elaborate sting operation to expose Mrs. Vardy’s involvement in leaking private stories to the press. Following a high-profile trial, the court ruled in Mrs. Rooney’s favour, stating that Mrs. Vardy had actively participated in the dissemination of private information.
In the current legal battle over costs, Mrs. Rooney’s representative condemned Mrs. Vardy’s conduct, claiming that her opponent’s actions had unnecessarily escalated the legal expenses. The ongoing hearing aims to resolve the contentious issue of legal fees, with both parties seeking a resolution.
Despite neither Mrs. Rooney nor Mrs. Vardy attending the recent court session, the proceedings are expected to conclude soon under the guidance of senior costs judge Andrew Gordon-Saker. The case continues to draw attention for its high-profile nature and complex legal intricacies.