Prince Harry is considering further legal action against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) following his successful High Court victory against the publisher.
The prince is prepared to go back to the witness box if he is not awarded the appropriate damages after only a quarter of the duke’s case has been determined.
The Duke of Sussex sued MGN over 148 articles, claiming that journalists used methods such as phone hacking and other unlawful activities to obtain information.
Prince Harry was awarded £140,600 in damages after a judge deemed that 15 out of 33 articles examined were published through phone hacking and unlawful information gathering.
Prince Harry is considering further legal action against a media publisher
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David Sherborne, the duke’s barrister, disclosed that although the prince would attempt to resolve the remainder of the claim through agreement, he is willing to take to the witness box if needed.
He added that there should be a further trial "as soon as possible" on 115 outstanding articles unless MGN agrees to Harry's compensation demands.
Sherborne said: “Although the duke is certainly prepared to attempt to resolve the remainder of his claim through agreement, it is necessary to list of the trial of the remainder of his claim as soon as is practicable, in order that his claim, which was issued almost four-and-a-half years ago in September 2019, may be fully determined if agreement is not reached.”
On Monday the case returned to High Court as it emerged that no agreement had been made for the outstanding 115 articles that comprised Harry’s claim.
Roger Mallalieu KC, for MGN revealed that “offers have been made” to the duke but insisted that the details remain secret.
Prince Harry was awarded £140,600 in damages in December last year
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The duke only received £140,600 in damages out of a total £440,000 he fought for.
The barrister also revealed that another trial could take up to 10 days, depending on the number of witnesses called up.
Sherborne said: “There is no reason why the duke’s claim should wait until determination of any appeal, which would not affect his claim.”
The outstanding 115 stories include reports of his relationship with his former girlfriend, Chelsy Davy and his military career.
The prince has vowed to continue his mission against dishonest press in the UK
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The duke sued the Mirror Group Newspapers over 148 articles
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In December 2023, the prince hailed himself as a “dragon slayer” and vowed to continue his mission against the dishonest press.
The prince’s statement read: “The court has ruled that unlawful and criminal activities were carried out at all three Mirror Group newspaper titles, The Mirror, The Sunday Mirror and The People.
“I’ve been told that slaying dragons will get you burned.
“But in light of today’s victory and the importance of doing what is needed for a free and honest press, it is a worthwhile price to pay. The mission continues.”
