Legal Showdown Over Costs in Wagatha Christie Case

The ongoing saga surrounding the Wagatha Christie dispute has resurfaced in the High Court, with Rebekah Vardy contesting the staggering legal expenses demanded by Coleen Rooney from their high-profile libel trial in 2022.

Vardy was unsuccessful in her case, as a judge ruled it was “substantially true” that she had leaked Rooney’s private information to the media. As a result, the judge mandated that Vardy cover 90% of Rooney’s legal costs, which have now soared to over £1.8 million. Among the expenses highlighted is a luxury hotel stay for one of Rooney’s lawyers, including hefty charges for drinks and items from the mini-bar.

Vardy’s barrister, Jamie Carpenter KC, criticized the excessive nature of the costs, asserting that the total could have been significantly reduced if Vardy had managed the litigation more appropriately. He emphasized that the expenses included charges for accommodations at the Nobu Hotel, along with considerable dinner and bar bills.

In written arguments submitted for Monday’s hearing, Carpenter described the costs dispute as particularly complicated due to the sheer size of the claim made by Rooney, both in absolute terms and relative to her originally agreed budget. He pointed out numerous errors in the bill, referring to it as a “kitchen sink approach” and claiming that over £120,000 was charged without proper justification.

Originally estimated at £1,667,860 in October 2022, Rooney’s legal costs have now escalated to £1,833,907, as reported to the court.

On the other hand, Robin Dunne, representing Rooney, accused Vardy of pursuing the libel action despite being aware that the Instagram post in question was truthful. He labeled her actions as “deplorable,” arguing that Vardy’s refusal to engage in discussions to resolve the matter amicably resulted in Rooney incurring significant additional costs.

Dunne contended, “It is hypocritical for Mrs. Vardy to assert that Mrs. Rooney’s costs, many of which stemmed directly from Vardy’s conduct, are unreasonable.”

Neither Rooney nor Vardy attended the hearing presided over by Senior Costs Judge Andrew Gordon-Saker, which is set to conclude on Wednesday.

The origin of the dispute dates back to 2019 when Rooney, the wife of former England captain Wayne Rooney, famously conducted a “sting operation” to uncover the source of leaks about her private life to The Sun newspaper. Her investigation culminated in the now-famous revelation: “It’s…. Rebekah Vardy’s account.” This bold accusation prompted Vardy, married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, to file a libel suit against Rooney, leading to widespread media coverage when the trial eventually unfolded.

In her ruling, Mrs. Justice Steyn concluded that Rooney’s claim was “substantially true,” suggesting that Vardy was not only aware of the leaks but was also complicit, working alongside her agent, Caroline Watt, to disseminate stories to the press.

Rooney later described the trial as “horrible” in an interview with British Vogue, expressing that while she might struggle to forgive Vardy for her actions, the relief of winning the case was profound. In the wake of her legal defeat, Vardy capitalized on the public’s fascination with the case by trademarking the term “Wagatha Christie.”

As the legal battle over costs continues, both parties remain in the spotlight, with the case emblematic of the complexities that can arise from high-stakes litigation and public scrutiny. The court’s upcoming decision on the financial aspects of the case will likely add another chapter to this already dramatic saga.