Legal fees could cost Nikita Hand more than she will receive in damages from her lawsuit against Conor McGregor. 

Ms Hand won her lawsuit against Mr McGregor, but lost against James Lawrence, who she had also accused of rape.

As a result, the payment of legal fees could become "complicated".

'I want to show Freya, and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is - and justice will be served'

Nikita Hand speaking after winning her case against Conor McGregor pic.twitter.com/ZgLP5EjGPe

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) November 22, 2024

On Newstalk Breakfast, Irish Independent legal affairs editor Shane Phelan said we may expect a "considerable argument" over legal fees on when the parties return to the High Court this Thursday.

"Normally, the rule is the costs follow the events," Mr Phelan said.

"Essentially that means the winner gets their costs from the losing side.

"I think it’s going to be slightly complicated in this case because you have one defendant who the jury found against and another defendant who a jury didn’t find against."

In typical circumstances, Mr McGregor would pay Ms Hand's legal fees while Ms Hand would pay Mr Lawrence's.

"The Judge will need to be persuaded and I’m expecting that there will be a legal argument from both sides," Mr Phelan said.

"I don’t think it’s going to be decided on Thursday - I’d imagine that there’d be written submissions."

Costs

Mr Phelan said it is possible that Ms Hand may end up paying more in legal costs than what she will receive in damages.

"The legal costs in this may substantially dwarf the actual award made," he said.

"We don't know what is going to happen in terms of costs, but that is a possibility."

The length of the proceedings will depend on the attitude of the judge, Justice Alexander Owens.

"What I imagine will happen is there will be a brief skirmish in court and that in all likelihood I think time will be sought for submissions to be entered, and you’re looking at a few more weeks potentially," Mr Phelan said.

"It will depend on the attitude of the judge and what he’s willing to allow the parties to do, but I don’t think it’s going to be too long."

The jury ruled that Mr McGregor must pay Ms Hand €248,603.60 in damages. 

Mr McGregor said he will appeal the court's decision.

Feature image: Conor McGregor at the High Court. Photo: Leon Farrell/© RollingNews.ie