Brittany Higgins lawyer told Linda Reynolds’ counsel she’ll ‘never restore reputation by suing raped staffer’
Brittany Higgins’ solicitor told Linda Reynolds’ lawyer that she would “never restore her reputation by suing a staffer raped in her office,” even if she won their bitter court fight.
The remarks by Carmel Galati were contained in a last-minute settlement offer that was rejected on the eve of the Supreme Court of WA trial in 2024.
The former Liberal senator alleged her ex-junior media adviser defamed her in a series of social media posts in 2022 and 2023.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.And last month, Justice Paul Tottle found Ms Higgins had indeed done so on three occasions, awarding Ms Reynolds $315,000 in damages plus $26,109 in interest.
But in Ms Higgins’ offer of a $200,000 contribution towards Ms Reynolds’ legal costs just days before the trial began, Ms Galati talked down the prospects of success by the plaintiff.
“Your client remains at risk even if she is successful,” the solicitor wrote.
“Your client will never restore her reputation by suing a staffer raped in her office.
“Your client is on notice that my client does not have the funds to satisfy a costs order.”
She then went on to say Ms Reynolds would not get her mitts on a trust Ms Higgins set up after clinching a $2.4 million settlement with the Federal Government over her mishandling claim.
“The prospects of setting aside the dispositions to the trust established to protect Brittany from herself will be unsuccessful,” Ms Galati wrote.
“Your client will no doubt be monitoring the continued social media and be aware that she is the subject of continuing adverse publicity in that respect.”
Ms Galati also said that her client had a firm resolve to testify at trial “if she is required to do so”.
Ms Higgins did not, citing medical reasons, while Ms Reynolds took the witness stand for a full week.
Justice Tottle ordered on Tuesday that Ms Higgins pay 80 per cent of Ms Reynolds’ legal costs - which she has estimated as being in the “millions” - on an indemnity basis.
In the defamatory online posts, Ms Higgins referred to being “bullied” and refusing to “stay silent”, alleging Ms Reynolds mishandled her claim she was raped by colleague Bruce Lehrmann at Parliament House in 2019.
Mr Lehrmann continues to maintain his innocence.
1800RESPECT
WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre 1800 199 888
Originally published as Higgins’ lawyer put Reynolds ‘on notice’ on eve of trial
