Mirror Group Newspapers may face up to 55 civil claims for alleged phone-hacking following yesterday’s High Court ruling not to strike out the first four cases.
A report in the Independent suggests that dozens of new claims are expected to be lodged in the High Court against the newspaper group following yesterday’s ruling.
News International, now News UK, has already paid £300 million in compensation and legal fees to alleged phone-hacking victims.
Legal sources told the Independent that a number of “high-value” damages claims are being prepared.
Some of those considering legal action have already secured compensation payments from the former News of the World.
It is also understood that some of those preparing compensation claims were notified by the Metropolitan Police that they may have been victims of phone-hacking.
Lawyer Mark Lewis, who represented a number of individuals against the News of the World, believes more cases against MGN will now proceed.
His firm Taylor Hamilton released a statement last night to the Independent: “Mirror Group now needs to concentrate on properly defending these actions and our clients now look forward to their claims proceeding.
“We hope that today’s judgment will mean that the full picture will now emerge as these cases unfold. It is time for MGN to come clean and reveal what went on.”
MGN told the Independent: “MGN continues to contest the four claims vigorously.”
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