In a landmark defamation ruling, Brittany Higgins has won her case against Bruce Lehrmann, who was found to have raped her in a minister’s couch at Parliament House as per civil proceedings standards.
In a significant defamation ruling by Justice Michael Lee, Brittany Higgins emerged victorious against Bruce Lehrmann, who was found to have raped her. This legal judgement was given in the context of a case involving Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson, who were also vindicated in their coverage of the events.
The incident in question occurred in 2019 when Lehrmann allegedly assaulted Higgins on a minister’s couch in Parliament House. While Lehrmann has not been criminally convicted, the civil proceedings concluded with the finding of rape by the standard of proof used in defamation cases.
The case, which has been closely followed due to its implications for media portrayal and victim’s rights in sexual assault cases, will soon move to a subsequent phase where the court will decide on the legal costs. Lehrmann faces the possibility of being liable for substantial legal fees, which might total up to $8 million as estimated during the proceedings. There is ongoing speculation about Lehrmann’s financial capacity to cover these costs, raising the chance that Network Ten might have to bear them.
Moreover, Lehrmann could potentially face additional legal consequences as there is speculation about further action by the ACT related to allegations of him leaking material to the media. This case continues to attract significant attention, reflecting broader societal concerns around sexual violence and legal accountability.
