Overview
- Judge Nicklin dismissed all 97 privacy claims earlier this month, finding the claimants offered no evidence to support allegations of phone‑hacking and illicit information gathering.
- Associated Newspapers has asked the court in a two‑day hearing in London to order an interim payment of about £9.95 million and to assess its full costs on an indemnity basis to recover a much larger bill.
- The claimants have offered roughly £8 million toward costs and hold individual after‑the‑event (ATE) insurance policies that together report cover of about £14–16 million but insurers may refuse payment if the court finds punitive conduct.
- Associated’s lawyers told the court the claimants pursued chaotic and changing allegations, hid documents and relied on discredited witness Gavin Burrows, which the publisher says drove up its legal fees.
- The High Court will now decide final costs and interest and the claimants will wait for that ruling before deciding whether to seek permission to appeal, a choice that will shape who ultimately bears the financial burden.