NIKITA Hand has won her legal costs against Conor McGregor — as a judge refused to grant co-defendant James Lawrence his costs against the rape victim.
Disgraced MMA star McGregor, 36, was last month ordered to pay victim Ms Hand, 35, almost €250,000 in damages after a High Court jury ruled she was “brutally” raped and “battered” by the thug in a Dublin hotel penthouse six years ago.
The mother-of-one lost her civil case against McGregor’s friend and co-defendant James Lawrence, with the court hearing the UFC ace had picked up Lawrence’s legal fees.
Lawrence's lawyers maintained their client should be awarded his costs against Ms Hand.
A showdown over legal costs in the case, estimated at €1.5million with each of the parties was represented by senior and junior counsel, took place at the High Court today.
Typically, the losing side pays their own legal bills and those of the other party.
But Ms Hand’s lawyers called for McGregor to pay the entire costs of the civil action and argued her lawsuit against Lawrence was run as a joint defence.
Mr Justice Alex Owens, who presided over the trial, decided the costs issue after hearing arguments from all sides.
In another triumph for Nikita, the judge ordered McGregor to pay the rape victim’s legal costs.
Judge Owens made the award against the brawler at the ordinary level, not the highest level sought by Ms Hand’s lawyers.
And in a landmark ruling, the judge refused to grant Lawrence his legal costs against Ms Hand - even though she lost her claim against him for assault.
The judge ruled Ms Hand will not have to pay Lawrence’s legal costs because both defendants were “in lock step”.
Justice Owens said: “The defendants filed a single defence represented by one legal firm.
“Mr Lawrence has a modest means and Mr McGregor was footing his legal bill.
“Mr Lawrence and Mr McGregor went with the one narrative.”
The judge concluded: “It is completely inappropriate to award Mr Lawrence any part of his costs even though he succeeded in his defence against Ms Hand.”
The costs were made on a party-party basis, not on the higher solicitor and client costs basis.
It means that Nikita will only have to pay her own lawyer's fees for her civil case against Lawrence, while McGregor will have to pay the bulk of Nikita's legal costs as well as his own after he lost the case.
During the trial, McGregor told the court he was paying Lawrence’s legal fees.
Neither the shamed fighter or his victim were at the High Court for the dramatic judgment.
But McGregor’s senior counsel, Remy Farrell, told Judge Owens an appeal was “highly likely”.
The judge put a stay on all the orders until January 16.
During today’s hearing, Ms Hand’s lawyers had called for McGregor to pay the entire costs of the civil action.
"It is completely inappropriate to award Mr Lawrence any part of his costs even though he succeeded in his defence against Ms Hand."
Justice Alex Owens
Senior Counsel John Gordon told the High Court they were looking for costs to be awarded against the mixed martial artist at the highest possible level.
The court heard Ms Hand wanted McGregor to pay the entire legal bill for her successful lawsuit against him - as well as the case she lost against his pal Lawrence.
Mr Gordon said he would be happy to take all his costs against McGregor, with no order of costs against Lawrence.
Mr Gordon insisted this was “appropriate” where the entire defence was run as a joint defence between the two defendants.
Ms Hand’s lawyers insisted it was a joint defence, “with one relying on the other”.
Mr Gordon also pointed out that McGregor and Lawrence engaged the same firm of solicitors - and the minted sportsman had paid all of Lawrence’s legal costs.
Amid the tussle over the legal bill, Nikita’s lawyers also urged the judge to take into consideration McGregor’s furious social media rants in the aftermath of the High Court verdict.
Mr Gordon branded the posts on X as “attack of the jury” and said they had “scandalised” and “disparaged” the court.
He said: “It is a direct insult to the jury. It is a matter that the court should not let go.”
After brave rape survivor Nikita won her civil action against McGregor, the fighter unleashed a series of wild outbursts online.
Among his shocking tirades, McGregor lashed out at the High Court where the case was heard, claiming it was “not a court of hard evidence and truth” but a “kangaroo court of opinions and feelings”.
The posts were later removed after they were widely shared online.
McGregor’s controversial social media jibes were presented to the High Court today amid the battle over cost liability.
Ms Hand’s lawyers told how McGregor had used “vitriol as a weapon” to intimidate her in court - before launching the online tirades.
Mr Gordon maintained the judge should take the social media rants into consideration in awarding legal costs in the case.
But McGregor’s lawyer, Mr Farrell, said the tweets should have nothing to do with the costs order.
Mr Farrell argued many litigants express “immoderate” reactions to decisions - and the social media jibes should not provide a “windfall” for the plaintiff.
He said: “It is nothing to do with it because there are many litigants who express displeasure (when losing).”
Handing down his costs ruling, Mr Justice Owens revealed he might institute proceedings for contempt of court over the tweets.
The proceedings could result in a fine for McGregor, although the judge noted the star is a very rich man who could afford to pay a fine.
The judge fumed it was “most unsatisfactory” that a litigant, McGregor, would attack the jury and disregard court rules.
And Justice Owens pledged to consider the tweet scandal at a hearing in January.
Tonight, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomed the decision of Judge Owens to award costs in favour of Nikita.
“It is nothing to do with it because there are many litigants who express displeasure (when losing).”
Conor McGregor’s senior counsel, Remy Farrell
Chief executive Rachel Morrogh said: “This decision will reinforce the public’s belief that justice has been done in this case.
“Although for Nikita Hand, this case was always about the verdict, it was also important that both symbolically and financially, justice didn’t give with one hand and take away with the other.
“The costs awarded this afternoon underscore the significant consequences arising from Nikita Hand’s courage and her brave legal action.”
Anyone affected by sexual violence at any time can get free, confidential support on the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778 888.
