Overview: A High-Profile Financial Fallout
Former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has initiated bankruptcy proceedings against former staffer Brittany Higgins in a bid to recover costs tied to a high-profile defamation case. Reynolds filed a creditor’s petition in the Federal Court after Higgins failed to comply with a bankruptcy notice, a step Reynolds says is necessary to recover damages and legal costs awarded following Higgins’ defamation win.
The dispute centers on a series of social media posts Higgins made in January 2022 that Reynolds alleges damaged her reputation. In August, the Western Australian Supreme Court ruled the posts defamatory and awarded Reynolds damages of $315,000 plus $26,109 in interest. Higgins was also ordered to pay 80 percent of Reynolds’ yet-to-be-determined legal costs, though she is appealing aspects of the judgment.
What the Court Found
Justice Paul Tottle’s 360-page judgment concluded that Higgins’ posts implied Reynolds engaged in a campaign of harassment against Higgins, mishandled a rape allegation, and behaved in questionable ways during the aborted criminal trial of Bruce Lehrmann. The ruling reaffirmed that the posts damaged Reynolds’ reputation and established a clear defamation finding against Higgins.
Key factual elements cited in the judgment involve Higgins’ own statements and alleged events affecting both parties’ reputations. While familiar with the ongoing legal battles, Reynolds has maintained she is pursuing remedies to recover the awarded damages and associated costs through the appropriate bankruptcy channels.
Current Proceedings: Bankruptcy and Appeals
The Federal Court records show Reynolds filed the bankruptcy proceedings against Higgins on a recent Friday, less than a month after Higgins’ husband, David Sharaz, was served with similar actions. Reynolds has stated publicly that Higgins has not complied with a bankruptcy notice, prompting the creditor’s petition as the next enforcement step.
Higgins has indicated she intends to continue appealing the damages and costs orders, including the finding that she breached a 2021 deed of settlement by referring to herself as a “defamation victim” in an Instagram post. The appeals process means the financial remedies Reynolds seeks may remain unresolved while court assessments unfold.
The Broader Legal Context
The defamation case has drawn intense public and political scrutiny because of Higgins’ role as a former staffer and the broader implications for accountability and public service. The civil case intersected with other related legal actions, including Lehrmann’s case against Network Ten and a separate federal inquiry into the handling of sexual assault allegations within political circles.
Legal observers note that bankruptcy actions in this context are primarily about recovering awarded costs and damages. The outcome will depend on whether Higgins complies with bankruptcy obligations and how the Federal Court administers the creditor’s petition in light of ongoing appeals and cost orders.
Support Resources
For those affected by sexual violence or seeking support, confidential help is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Looking Ahead
As the legal saga continues, the parties remain engaged in separate but intertwined disputes surrounding defamation, settlements, and enforcement. The Federal Court case will determine whether Reynolds can recover the damages and costs through bankruptcy proceedings, while Higgins pursues appeals on the underlying damages and the breach of settlement terms. The outcome could influence how similar cases are approached in Australian defamation and political accountability contexts.
