Brittany Higgins Ordered to Pay 80% of Linda Reynolds' Legal Costs

Brittany Higgins has been ordered by Justice Paul Tottle to pay 80% of former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds' legal costs following a defamation trial in which Higgins was found to have defamed Reynolds through social media posts. Reynolds was awarded over $340,000 in damages, and the legal costs could exceed $1 million. The judgment revealed that Higgins had made a rejected settlement offer shortly before the trial, proposing a $200,000 payment from her parents toward Reynolds' legal fees, a $10,000 donation to charity, and a mutual statement of regret that did not include an apology. Justice Tottle criticized Higgins' offer as unreasonable and insufficient for vindicating Reynolds' reputation. The costs order also accounted for a 20% reduction due to parts of Reynolds' claims not being established, including a conspiracy claim and certain posts. The ruling underscores the financial and reputational consequences Higgins faces after the high-profile legal dispute.