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The Duke of York could run up legal fees of high proportions during his civil lawsuit battle with accuser Virginia Giuffre. The high cost is thanks to the number of hours that will likely be spent on the case, and top US lawyers can charge up to $2,000 an hour.
Prince Andrew faces allegations made by Ms Giuffre, formally known as Virginia Roberts, who claims that she was forced by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the Duke on three separate occasions while she was 17.
Ms Giuffre alleges that the now 61-year-old royal abused her at Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan home and other locations while she was underage.
Prince Andrew has categorically denied all allegations.
For the case, the 61-year-old prince has hired Hollywood lawyer Andrew Brettler to represent him.
US Lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who represents several of Epstein’s victims, has warned that the Duke could rack up a bill of $500,000 – or £360,000- within 12 months if the proceedings continue.
US Lawyer Mr Kuvin spoke of the extraordinarily large legal bill and how many hours the Prince’s legal team are likely to put in with The Sunday Mirror.
He said: “Andrew is looking at up to half a million US dollars in legal fees for work over the next year.
READ MORE: Prince Andrew’s damage to Royal brand is ‘irreparable’ expert warns
Ms Giuffre’s lawyers filed the civil suit at a New York federal court last month, through which she is seeking unspecified damages from the senior royal.
During the telephone conference hearing, Andrew’s lawyer Mr Brettler argued that his client had not been correctly notified about the civil proceedings.
The Duke’s legal team contested “the validity of service to date”, claiming he had not been properly served under either UK or international law, but The High Court has since accepted a request to notify Prince Andrew about Virginia Giuffre’s civil case in America.
When commenting on the case proceedings, Mr Kuvin added: “The way this case is at the moment, it appears Andrew’s lawyers want to dismiss this case on its legal merits.
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