NRL legend Wendell Sailor sued over son Tristan’s unpaid legal bill

A legal firm is chasing NRL legend Wendell Sailor and his son Tristan for unpaid legal fees after successfully defending Tristan on sexual assault charges.

NRL legend Wendell Sailor is being sued by the law firm that successfully defended his son on rape charges over unpaid legal fees worth more than $100,000.

The ex-Broncos great’s wife, Tara, and rising NRL star son Tristan – who was found not guilty of rape – are also being sued over the legal bill from the trial that allegedly remains unpaid more than a year after the case ended.

The case is listed for a pre-trial conference in the Sydney District Civil Court on June 20. Though the value of the claim hasn’t been revealed, the District Court hears claims worth between $75,000 and $750,000.

According to court records, the Sailor family is being sued by Madison Marcus Law Firm.

Managing director Ramy Qutami represented Tristan during his 2022 rape trial in the Sydney District Court.

Tristan Sailor has returned to rugby league with the Broncos. Picture, John Gass

Wendell, who co-hosts Triple M’s The Rush Hour with Gus Worland and ex-Sydney AFL legend Jude Bolton, declined to comment when asked on Friday why he was drawn into the case or whether the legal bill had been paid.

But the dual international, who quit the NRL in 2001 to become a Wallabies star, confirmed he was aware of the existence of the case. “I’ve got people looking at that,” he said. “It’s being handled, mate. So thanks very much for your call.”

Wendell Sailor is being chased for unpaid legal fees. Picture: AAP Image/Steve Pohlner

Tristan did not respond to an approach for comment, while Tara could not be reached. According to court records, Tristan is the first respondent on the case. His parents are listed as secondary respondents.

Tristan was a St George Illawarra Dragons player when he was accused of raping a woman in her Wolli Creek apartment in October 2020 while she was either unconscious, asleep, or too drunk to consent.

He told the jury the woman did not appear to be intoxicated and remained conscious and alert throughout their sexual encounter, during which she gave her consent multiple times.

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