The ongoing legal battle between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy has resurfaced in the High Court, with accusations that Rooney’s lawyers substantially understated her legal costs. Vardy, who unsuccessfully sued Rooney for libel in 2022, is now challenging the amount of legal costs she is required to pay. Vardy’s barristers claim that Rooney’s legal team committed “serious misconduct” by misrepresenting their costs to reduce the amount owed by Vardy.
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During Monday’s hearing, Vardy’s legal representative, Jamie Carpenter KC, argued that Rooney had understated her legal costs by approximately 40% in her 2021 budget submission. This, he claimed, had misled both Vardy and the court. However, a previous ruling found no wrongdoing by Rooney’s legal team, though the judge admitted this conclusion was reached “only just.” Carpenter is appealing this decision, seeking a reduction in the amount Vardy must pay.
In response, Rooney’s lawyers described the appeal as “misconceived.” They argued that her legal budget had been correctly submitted, adhering to the guidelines of what costs would be “reasonable and proportionate.” Robin Dunne, who represented Rooney at an earlier hearing, stated that the costs budget was not intended to be an exact reflection of final legal expenses.
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The hearing concluded with the judges stating that they would provide their decision at a later date. The dispute over the high-profile “Wagatha Christie” case remains unresolved, with both sides awaiting a final judgment on the legal costs Vardy will be required to cover.
