PH litigation against Mirror group settled

[Mumsnut]

Lots more damages, and I think they have picked up his costs

Isn't it because people have 'slagged off' William for reaching a settlement instead of going to court, and referred to him as 'cowardly'?

Sadly some of Harry's successful complainants have ended up winning the case, but are now in the position of owing MGN because the amount of damages awarded by the judge is less than the formal offer to settle from MGN.

As I have said, I don't see any reason why Harry should donate his compensation to charity. But equally I don't see William's decision to accept a settlement as cowardly, or cosying up to the press. Just a different person making a different - but equally valid - choice.

Well, I would see your point about secret out of court settlements applying to ordinary people and to run of the mill celebrities.

But we’re talking about the future King here, someone who is in line to have extraordinary (and undemocratic) powers.

Why couldn’t William take on Murdoch’s newsgroup in Court? That could have transformed the tabloid landscape in the UK. Or at a minimum they could have recognised guilt, claimed this was historical and reaffirmed their commitment to changing their ways. And it would have been a potential route to justice for the many whose lives were ruined or blighted by phone hacking.

Instead the phone hacking newsgroups may have been encouraged by William’s and possibly others’ secret out of court settlements to fight Harry and the other claimants that chose litigation like hell.

I’m not sure that stance has been worth it for the likes of MGN. And this is thanks to Harry et al for having the courage to confront the likes of MGN in court.

That took courage. Cowardice may be a harsh word, but perhaps one might have expected more courage from the future King.

The future king is also an individual who has been hacked, just as any other individual. I don't think they have any obligation to behave any differently than any other victim of hacking - they can choose to accept MGN's offer or not. They are the victim here, let's remember, no matter what they own/earn/influence. They should not have been hacked, and it was illegal.

If MGN had offered a little more money in settlement then Harry would be owing MGN money despite the claims being found proved - assuming he turned down their offer on a matter of principle. And MGN would be making a lot of noise about Harry owing them money despite winning.

I think it is a little more nuanced, and I think you are mixing up the role of the civil courts vs those of the criminal courts.