@SunnyEgg @PicturesOfDogs
Info here re: Nikki Sanderson admissions
https://pressgazette.co.uk/media_law/prince-harry-mirror-hacking-trial-week-one/
The publisher says Sanderson’s claim has been brought too late, but “unreservedly apologises” over four payments made to private investigators which it admits are evidence of instructions to unlawfully obtain her private information. It also claims that evidence does not suggest Sanderson’s phone was successfully hacked.
In any case where a party has made an admission of liability, it is usual for there also to be what is called a Part 36 offer to settle the case. That is a 'secret' (in the sense of not known to the Judge or publically) offer to settle at a particular level. The fact and detail of the offer only becomes known to the Judge after judgment and when the parties argue about costs.
If the Claimant doesn't accept the offer, then goes to court and the judge awards less than the offer, the Claimant is treated as having 'lost' (because they incurred time and costs of a trial to no end - they could have accepted the offer and would have been better off). The result of a loss is the Claimant then has to pay the Defendants costs.
Obviously, I don't know whether offers have been made in any of these cases, nor whether what is admitted is the same as an admission of liability - for example it is possible to admit something and apologise for it where whatever is admitted isn't itself a cause of action or there are other defences - for example limitation has expired.
However, in any case where there is admission that amounts to an admission of liability I would be amazed if there wasn't a Part 36 offer to settle the case - because it is a very standard way for defendants to try to protect themselves. If they aren't accepted, it is always because the Claimant thinks they will win and get more at trial.