Overview

• Reynolds confirmed lodging a creditor’s petition in the Federal Court on Monday, escalating efforts to enforce the defamation judgment against Higgins.
• A WA Supreme Court ruling in August found Higgins defamed Reynolds over social media posts and ordered $315,000 in damages plus $26,109 in interest.
• Higgins and her husband, David Sharaz, were ordered to pay 80% of Reynolds’ legal costs, a figure expected to exceed $1m, with joint liability for the damages award.
• Justice Paul Tottle noted Reynolds did not establish some claims and said a percentage reduction to recoverable costs may be appropriate.
• Higgins filed a notice of appeal in September challenging the judgment and cost orders, and Reynolds’ bankruptcy action follows similar steps recently taken against Sharaz.