David Sherborne, who has represented many high-profile people and celebrities in his legal career including Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, lost the first round against Associated Newspapers in the Duchess of Sussex’s pre-trial hearing. Now Meghan’s office has confirmed he will be replaced by a senior barrister, Justin Rushbrook QC, according to The Times.
The Duchess’ team said Mr Sherborne, who most recently represented Johnny Depp, had too many “demands on his time” and Mr Rushbrook would replace him as lead counsel.
Meghan’s case is back in court date, where the two sides are expected to set a trial date.
Mr Sherborne, who specialises in privacy, confidentiality and defamation, as well as matrimonial and sports law, lost the first pre-trial hearing in May and Meghan was ordered to pay the newspaper £67,888 in legal costs for that hearing.
He has represented a range of high profile figures including US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie, Chelsea Clinton, Cheryl Cole, the Spice Girls, Sir Paul McCartney, David Walliams, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John and David Furnish.
Mr Sherborne also worked on the Leveson Inquiry and led high-profile phone hacking claims for celebrities, including Hugh Grant.
Meghan is suing Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Mail on Sunday, the Daily Mail and the MailOnline, after it published extracts from a private handwritten letter to her estranged father, Thomas Markle.
She claims this breached her privacy and copyright.
The Duchess is accusing the publisher of alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement and breach of the Data Protection Act.
Associated Newspapers wholly denies any wrongdoings.
The publisher has defended itself, claiming that Meghan breached her own privacy by allowing five friends to speak to People Magazine earlier in the year, when one of her friends told the magazine about the letter.
They said the Duchess had written: “Dad, I’m so heartbroken. I love you. I have one father. Please stop victimising me through the media so we can repair our relationship.”
Associated Newspapers said their publishing of the letter was a response to this.
