Actress Rebel Wilson has suffered a blow as she fights to recoup a $1.4 million legal bill she amassed during last year’s successful defamation case against magazine publisher Bauer.
Wilson was awarded a record $4.5 million in her successful case when a number of Bauer’s women’s glossies insinuated the 39-year-old was a flagrant liar. The judge at the time also awarded her $650,000 in general and aggravated damages.
This morning, in the Victorian Supreme Court, the presiding judge, John Dixon, refused Wilson’s demands for a $1.4 million payout for costs.
That means Wilson’s legal costs will now be determined by the standard route via a dedicated costs court.
In a prepared statement, Dixon said: “Although a purpose of awarding a gross sum costs order may be to avoid delay and expense, it cannot be assumed that in a particular case such an assessment will be more time and cost efficient than taxation. Nor can it be assumed that a gross sum assessment will be simpler.”
Interestingly, Wilson initially offered to settle out of court for a mere $200,000. For its part, Bauer intends to appeal the original sum in a case set down for May the 9th.
Wilson has said any monies she did receive would go to charities and causes associated with the arts and acting.
