A senior legal figure has stepped down from overseeing the determination of legal costs in Prince Harry's court victory against Mirror Group Newspapers due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Senior Costs Judge Jason Rowley's decision stems from his previous employment at Temple Legal Protection, where he designed a costs policy that applies to approximately 40 per cent of the costs in the Duke of Sussex's case.
The legal figure announced his recusal at the start of Thursday's hearing, stating: "Having seen the documents rather more fully... I have taken the view that I need to recuse myself from this case. It is not a decision I have taken lightly."
Judge Rowley revealed he had worked at Temple Legal Protection for 10 months before becoming a costs judge. During his tenure there, he developed what he described as a "bespoke" policy that covered a significant portion of the case expenses.
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|Senior legal figure in Prince Harry's court case steps down with immediate effect.
The judge explained: "I am concerned that I may have knowledge of how this is done that is not before the parties.
"It seems to me obvious that the risk is there."
He emphasised that neither party in the proceedings had raised the conflict of interest issue, indicating he had identified the potential problem independently.
PA | Senior Costs Judge Jason Rowley's decision stems from his previous employment at Temple Legal Protection.
The Duke of Sussex secured a significant legal victory against MGN in December 2023, receiving £140,600 in damages after the court determined that 15 articles about him resulted from unlawful information gathering.
The case centred on allegations that journalists at the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People engaged in phone hacking, blagging and employed private investigators for illegal activities between 1991 and 2011.
Harry travelled from the United States to testify during the seven-week trial, spending eight hours under questioning across two days in June 2023.
In February 2024, MGN agreed to pay substantial additional damages and cover all of Harry's legal costs, including an interim payment of £400,000.
Reuters | The Duke of Sussex secured a significant legal victory against MGN in December 2023.
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PA | The case centred on allegations that journalists at the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People engaged in phone hacking, blagging and employed private investigators for illegal activities between 1991 and 2011.
Another judge will replace Judge Rowley, with a further hearing scheduled for a future date to address the costs determination.
The Duke of Sussex continues to pursue legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail, alongside other claimants, including Elizabeth Hurley and Elton John.
They allege the publisher commissioned unlawful activities, including phone tapping and obtaining private records through deception.
Last week, Mr Justice Fancourt ruled that Harry's legal team must disclose documents relating to alleged payments for evidence in that case, stating there was "a real prospect" such evidence could affect witness credibility at trial.