High Court rejects Bruce Lehrmann appeal on 4 September 2026 ending defamation case

The High Court of Australia has definitively dismissed Bruce Lehrmann's bid to appeal a Federal Court decision concerning Brittany Higgins, effectively concluding his legal avenues in the protracted defamation saga. This refusal of "special leave" means Lehrmann now faces the ramifications of the original judgment, which found it more likely than not that he raped Higgins. The court also ordered Lehrmann to cover the costs of this final appeal, compounding his financial distress and pushing him closer to potential bankruptcy.

Higgins, in a brief statement, alluded to the lengthy legal entanglement, suggesting the system had been "used for years in a bid to silence my voice." While not directly commenting on the High Court's decision, her remarks point to a weariness with the protracted legal processes that have unfolded. The judgment means Lehrmann’s initial defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson, which hinged on his denial of Higgins's allegations, has now been settled by the highest court, leaving the rape finding from the civil proceedings standing.

Lehrmann had sought to overturn the Federal Court of Appeal's prior rejection of his defamation appeal. This latest attempt to challenge the findings was his last resort. The Federal Court itself had, in a previous ruling, strengthened the initial judgment by suggesting that Justice Michael Lee should have been more definitive in finding Lehrmann's knowledge of Higgins's lack of consent. Lehrmann's legal team had argued he was identifiable and therefore defamed, but the courts consistently found against him.

"Special leave refused with costs."

This stark pronouncement from the High Court's judgment summary signifies the end of Lehrmann's direct legal challenges. His solicitor had previously indicated that his financial prospects were so dire that an OnlyFans account was a potential avenue for income. The refusal by the High Court means the original finding of defamation stands, alongside the substantial legal costs Lehrmann has incurred.

The case stems from allegations made by Higgins, a former Liberal Party staffer, that she was raped by Lehrmann, also a former staffer, in the Parliament House office of their then-minister, Linda Reynolds, in 2019. Lehrmann has consistently denied the allegation. His decision to sue Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson for defamation, following the acquittal in a criminal trial due to juror misconduct, brought the matter into the civil arena. Justice Lee famously critiqued Lehrmann's decision to pursue the civil case after his criminal trial was aborted, stating he had "made the mistake of going back for his hat."

The saga has spanned years, involving significant media attention and sparking broader conversations about sexual consent, the legal system's handling of such claims, and the challenges faced by victims. Higgins has since become an advocate for victims' rights, while Lehrmann faces significant financial and reputational fallout. The High Court's decision brings a definitive close to Lehrmann's appeals, solidifying the civil court's findings against him.