Coleen Rooney’s legal battle with Rebekah Vardy in the infamous “Wagatha Christie” libel case has resulted in a staggering legal bill exceeding £1.8 million, the High Court has been informed. The court proceedings stem from an incident in 2019 when Mrs. Rooney, the wife of former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney, accused Mrs. Vardy, the wife of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, of leaking private information to the media via social media. This accusation led to a high-profile legal battle that concluded in July 2022, with Mrs. Vardy losing the case.
In October 2022, Mrs. Vardy was ordered by the court to pay 90% of Mrs. Rooney’s legal costs, amounting to an initial payment of £800,000. The dispute resurfaced as the two parties returned to court in London to argue over the actual amount owed. Mrs. Rooney’s legal team claimed that the total legal bill amounted to a staggering £1,833,906.89. This figure includes various expenses, including costs for accommodations at the Nobu Hotel and substantial dinner and drinks charges.
During the recent hearing, Jamie Carpenter KC, representing Mrs. Vardy, argued that Mrs. Rooney’s bill was drawn up carelessly, including costs to which she had no entitlement. He also highlighted that Mrs. Rooney’s barrister had charged fees totaling £497,850 throughout the proceedings. The court heard that Mrs. Vardy’s actions led to escalated costs and prolonged proceedings, with Mrs. Rooney’s legal team asserting that Mrs. Vardy’s conduct during the case was deplorable.
The saga began with a viral social media post in 2019, where Mrs. Rooney claimed to have conducted a “sting operation” revealing that Mrs. Vardy had leaked personal details to the press. Following a trial, the judge ruled in favour of Mrs. Rooney, indicating that Mrs. Vardy’s agent had indeed leaked the information and had knowledge of and condoned the behaviour.
Representatives for Mrs. Rooney argued that Mrs. Vardy’s refusal to engage in resolving the matter out of court had led to increased costs. The case is ongoing, with the judge yet to make a final decision on the disputed legal fees. The court proceedings are set to conclude on Wednesday, with both parties absent from the recent hearing.
The drawn-out legal battle between the two footballers’ wives has not only sparked public interest but has also shed light on the complexities and costs involved in high-profile libel cases. The outcome of the current dispute over legal fees will likely have significant implications for both parties as they seek to resolve this chapter of their ongoing feud.