Bruce Lehrmann weighing up legal options in shock move after judge found that ... trends now
Bruce Lehrmann is considering an appeal against a federal court ruling after a judge found that he raped Brittany Higgins.
The move comes after he lost his defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson when Judge Michael Lee handed down his verdict in the Federal Court, in Sydney, on April 15.
The ruling found that Network Ten and Ms Wilkinson did not defame Lehrmann in an interview with Ms Higgins which aired on The Project in February 2021, where former Liberal staffer claimed an unnamed colleague raped her at Parliament House two years earlier.
Lehrmann claimed friends and colleagues were able to identify him as the alleged rapist. He has always maintained his innocence.
He has since appointed a legal team to be led by leading barrister Guy Reynolds SC to appeal against Justice Lee's ruling to avoid footing a mounting legal bill, The Australian reported.
Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) is considering launching an appeal against the ruling by a federal court, after a judge ruled he raped Brittany Higgins
Lerhmann is reportedly looking to raise funds from donors in Australia and overseas to cover the legal costs as he's currently unemployed.
Mr Reynolds is understood to be confident that an appeal against Ten and Wilkinson's truth case would be successful, and could result in some costs being borne by Ten.
The leading barrister's previous clients have included Eddie Obeid, Man Haron Monis, Mick Gatto and Peter Dutton.
'Guy Reynolds is a gun. He's well known as a top constitutional lawyer, he's appeared in the High Court, he's got an enormous reputation,' Legal commentator Chris Merritt told Sky News.
'Before his arrival on the scene, I would have thought that Bruce Lehrmann's appeal chances were pretty slim but with Guy Reynolds on the team, you've got to say that there might be something substantial there.'
The appeal plan is likely to be flagged when the first costs hearing is held in the Federal Court on Wednesday.
The hearing will consider the issue of costs, with Channel Ten and Lisa Wilkinson seeking a costs order against
