This article contains references to rape.
Brittany Higgins has been ordered to pay the bulk of her former boss’s legal costs after losing a defamation case.
Linda Reynolds sued Higgins over a series of social media posts the ex-senator believed damaged her reputation.
Last month, the Western Australian Supreme Court found the posts were defamatory and awarded damages of $315,000 plus $26,109 interest to Reynolds.
Higgins was ordered to pay 80 per cent of Reynolds’ legal costs, which are yet to be determined, on Tuesday.
The ruling also disclosed that Higgins proposed to pay Reynolds $200,000 towards her legal expenses in 2024, in the period leading up to their trial. However, this offer was turned down.
Higgins’ social media posts were found to carry an array of imputations, including that Reynolds had engaged in a campaign of harassment against Higgins, mishandled her rape allegation against Bruce Lehrmann, and engaged in questionable conduct during Lehrmann’s aborted criminal trial for rape.
Higgins alleged Lehrmann raped her in the senator’s ministerial suite.
A Federal Court judge overseeing a defamation case launched by Lehrmann against Network Ten found Higgins was, on the balance of probabilities, raped by Lehrmann in the office.
He has always denied the rape allegation, and his criminal trial was derailed by juror misconduct.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
