Brittany Higgins has decided to withdraw her appeals in the costly defamation case she lost against her former employer, Linda Reynolds, a former Liberal senator. This move marks a significant turn in a legal battle that has captivated public attention.

Reynolds initiated the lawsuit against Higgins, arguing that various social media statements made by the former political staffer had tarnished her reputation. These posts became the center of a contentious legal dispute over their impact on Reynolds’ professional standing.

Following the court’s decision, Higgins was ordered to cover 80 percent of Reynolds’ legal costs, which are believed to surpass $1 million. This financial burden was a substantial aspect of the case’s fallout.

In September, Higgins sought to contest Justice Paul Tottle’s ruling, which not only awarded damages to Reynolds but also found Higgins in violation of a 2021 settlement agreement between them. This breach was allegedly due to an Instagram post where Higgins described herself as a victim of defamation.

Additionally, Higgins filed a separate appeal to contest the order regarding the legal costs. However, with her recent decision to abandon these appeals, it seems that this chapter of legal wrangling has come to a close, at least for now.

A court spokesperson confirmed discontinuance notices for both appeals were filed on Monday.

It comes about a week after Reynolds launched bankruptcy proceedings against Higgins to recoup the costs awarded in her defamation win.

Reynolds filed a creditor’s petition in the Federal Court, claiming Higgins “failed to comply” with a bankruptcy notice issued to her several weeks earlier.

Higgins’ husband David Sharaz has also been served with bankruptcy proceedings by Reynolds.

He was also found to have defamed the former politician and was ordered to pay $85,000 in damages plus interest and costs. 

Higgins previously apologised to Reynolds after the former defence minister emerged victorious from the duo’s high-profile five-week defamation trial, which ended in September 2024.

Justice Tottle found Higgins’ social media posts carried an array of imputations.

They included Reynolds engaged in a campaign of harassment against Higgins, mishandled her rape allegation and engaged in questionable conduct during Bruce Lehrmann’s aborted criminal trial for rape.

The 360-page judgment made factual findings about the events involving Reynolds and Higgins, including her alleged 2019 rape and the events in the years after it.

Higgins made 26 false or misleading statements in media interviews after her alleged sexual assault, it said.

She alleges former co-worker Lehrmann raped her in the senator’s ministerial suite.

A Federal Court judge overseeing a defamation case launched by Lehrmann against Network Ten found Higgins was, on the balance of probabilities, raped by her former co-worker in the office.

Lehrmann is appealing that finding.

He has always denied the rape allegation and his criminal trial was derailed by juror misconduct.

Support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.