The ongoing legal battle between Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney, famously dubbed the “Wagatha Christie” dispute, has taken a new turn as Vardy challenges the staggering legal costs claimed by Rooney from their 2022 libel trial.
Vardy, who lost the case after a judge ruled in favor of Rooney, has been ordered to pay 90% of Rooney’s costs, which have exceeded £1.8 million. The costs include expenses such as a stay at a luxury hotel, drinks, and items from the mini-bar for one of Vardy’s lawyers.
During the recent High Court hearing, Vardy’s barrister argued that Rooney’s costs were inflated and could have been lower if Vardy had conducted the litigation appropriately. He highlighted errors in the bill and questioned the necessity of certain charges, including over £120,000 to which Rooney allegedly has no entitlement.
On the other side, Rooney’s barrister defended the costs, stating that Vardy’s conduct had led to significant additional expenses and that it was hypocritical for Vardy to claim the costs were unreasonable.
The dispute, which has been described as “intractable” due to the magnitude of the costs claimed, is set to conclude on Wednesday after the hearing before Senior Costs Judge Andrew Gordon-Saker.
The “Wagatha Christie” saga began in 2019 when Rooney accused Vardy of leaking stories about her to the press, leading to a high-profile libel trial in 2022. The trial, which attracted widespread attention, ultimately ruled in favor of Rooney, with the judge stating that Vardy was likely involved in leaking the stories.
Despite the legal battle, Rooney expressed relief at winning the case but admitted in a British Vogue interview that the trial had been “horrible.” Vardy, on the other hand, trademarked the phrase “Wagatha Christie” after her loss.
As the legal battle continues, the public remains captivated by the ongoing feud between the two footballers’ wives, eagerly awaiting the final outcome of this high-profile dispute.
