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Decision on when Lisa Wilkinson’s $700k legal bill will be paid to be settled after Lehrmann trial

Former The Project host Lisa Wilkinson has received an update in her fight to have Network 10 promptly pay her eye-watering legal fees.

Lisa Wilkinson arrives at court

Lisa Wilkinson’s legal stoush with Network 10 over her legal costs relating to the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case will be dealt with at a hearing later this month, a court has heard.

Ms Wilkinson has launched court proceedings against her employer in a fight over her legal bills related to her defence of the Lehrmann lawsuit, in which both she and the broadcaster are named as respondents.

The two sides are in disagreement over whether the $700,000 bill should be settled immediately or at the conclusion of the defamation proceedings.

Lisa Wilkinson has racked up a bill of about $700,000 from top silk Sue Chrysanthou. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip.
Lisa Wilkinson has racked up a bill of about $700,000 from top silk Sue Chrysanthou. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip.

Mr Lehrmann is suing Ms Wilkinson and Network 10 in the Federal Court over her 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins, which aired on The Project.

The trial is now in its second week before Justice Michael Lee in the Federal Court.

Separately, Ms Wilkinson is also locked in a legal battle with Network 10 after she elected to hire her own legal representation.

Ms Wilkinson hired high-profile barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC and Gillis Delaney Lawyers partner Anthony Jefferies earlier this year, instead of opting to use Network 10’s retained law firm.

Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson for defamation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip.
Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson for defamation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip.
Brittany Higgins is appearing as Network 10’s witness in the defamation trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers.
Brittany Higgins is appearing as Network 10’s witness in the defamation trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers.

According to documents filed in the NSW Supreme Court, she claims the broadcaster is refusing to promptly pay two invoices worth $353,538 and $370,017.

The proceedings were previously filed in the Supreme Court but have been transferred to the Federal Court following an application by Network 10.

Justice Lee on Friday told the court that the matter would be dealt with at a hearing on December 14, with that hearing to take place at the conclusion of evidence in the Lehrmann defamation trial.

Steve Zemek
Steve ZemekCourt reporter

Steve Zemek began his career in his native Queensland before moving to Sydney with Australian Associated Press in 2014. He worked as an NRL journalist for five seasons, covering the game all over Australia and in New Zealand before making a career pivot towards court reporting in 2019. He joined NCA NewsWire in mid 2020 as a Sydney-based court reporter where he has covered some of the state's biggest cases.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/decision-on-when-lisa-wilkinsons-700k-legal-bill-will-be-paid-to-be-settled-after-lehrmann-trial/news-story/61ac1ce4da920c84fa861698ee1be726