Brittany Higgins Attends Mediation in Perth with Senator Linda Reynolds
Brittany Higgins and her partner David Sharaz recently participated in a mediation session in Perth alongside Senator Linda Reynolds, Ms. Higgins’s former employer. The purpose of the mediation was to address the defamation allegations that Senator Reynolds has brought against the couple.
According to reports, Ms. Higgins is accused of violating a non-disparagement agreement included in a previous settlement with Senator Reynolds. This agreement explicitly prohibited Ms. Higgins from making negative remarks about Senator Reynolds.
This event marked Ms. Higgins’ first public appearance in Australia since relocating to France with her partner last year. Speaking to the gathered press in Perth, Ms. Higgins described the city as both beautiful and challenging to return to, expressing her belief that all parties involved are approaching the situation with sincerity and good intentions.
Upon arriving at court in Perth on Tuesday morning, Linda Reynolds was followed shortly by Senator Reynolds, who opted to withhold her remarks until after the mediation. The discussions on Tuesday wrapped up just before 7 pm, following nearly nine hours of mediation, with Brittany Higgins and Mr. Sharaz exiting without providing any statements. Brittany Higgins concluded a mediation session in Perth after an extensive nine-hour dialogue. Senator Reynolds, along with Ms. Higgins and Mr. Sharaz, refrained from commenting on the ongoing mediation process. However, Martin Bennett, Senator Reynolds’ lawyer, confirmed that the mediation would not resume the following day.
Social Media Posts Sparked Legal Action
Allegations have been made by the retiring Liberal senator against Ms. Higgins for defamation through an Instagram post and subsequent tweet in July of last year.
Ms. Higgins is accused of violating a non-disparagement clause in a settlement contract from 2021, which prohibited her from making negative remarks about Ms. Reynolds.
Seeking aggravated damages, Ms. Reynolds aims for an injunction to prevent Ms. Higgins from publishing defamatory content and another injunction to enforce the terms of the settlement contract.
Additionally, Ms. Reynolds has lodged a complaint against Ms. Higgins’s partner, David Sharaz, for allegedly defaming her in five social media posts, which were deemed to be both false and damaging.
Heading: Brittany Higgins Mediation in Perth
David Sharaz appeared at court in Perth on Tuesday morning, as reported by ABC News’ Jack Stevenson. The Perth-based senator had initially threatened legal action in July last year, citing being the “target of unwarranted criticism and abuse” since Brittany Higgins went public with her rape allegations. Higgins accused her colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, of raping her while she worked in Ms. Reynolds’s Canberra ministerial office. Lehrmann’s criminal trial was halted in October 2022 due to juror misconduct, and the prosecution later decided against a retrial. Despite the allegations, Lehrmann has consistently maintained his innocence.
Concerns Raised by Judge Regarding ‘Human Cost’
Justice Marcus Solomon has been presiding over the defamation case since it first came to light last year. In August, he urged both parties to seek alternative ways to settle the dispute outside of a courtroom, highlighting his worries about the potential “human cost of litigation.”
In one of his rulings, he emphasized, “No one should assume they are shielded from the mental strain and emotional anguish that comes with litigation of this kind.” He further added, “The toll on individuals can be severe, at times seemingly insurmountable.”
Brittany Higgins mediation Perth
Linda Reynolds, on the left, has initiated legal action against David Sharaz, on the right, who happens to be the partner of Brittany Higgins, in the center. This development in their dispute follows a recent mediation session, occurring shortly after Ms. Reynolds received a $90,000 settlement and an official apology from the ACT government. The apology was in response to remarks made by former director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold.
The lawsuit was filed by the Conservative senator against both the ACT government and Mr. Drumgold in the previous year. This legal action stemmed from a letter authored by Mr. Drumgold to the Australian Federal Police following the conclusion of Mr. Lehrmann’s rape trial. In the letter, Mr. Drumgold accused Ms. Reynolds of potential political interference due to her request for transcripts of Brittany Higgins’ testimony.
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Discover More About Brittany Higgins’ Mediation in Perth
Linda Reynolds, a former cabinet minister in the Morrison government, will retire from politics after the upcoming election. This decision comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the mediation in Perth involving Brittany Higgins.
Liberal senator takes legal action against Brittany Higgins’s partner for ‘defamatory’ social media posts
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