Courts / Dublin / Report

Conor McGregor wants to introduce fresh evidence for appeal against civil rape trial verdict

Date
2025-03-21
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Conor McGregor and James Lawrence are appealing the civil jury verdict that found McGregor raped Nikita Hand in 2018. At a Court of Appeal hearing before Mr Justice Seamus Noonan, McGregor's counsel sought permission to introduce fresh evidence from two individuals. The judge directed that a formal motion and affidavits must be filed to address the admissibility of this new evidence, with a case management hearing scheduled for May 2 to fix the date for that application. The judge ruled the appeal cannot proceed until the court decides on the new evidence. McGregor's team alleges the trial judge made legal and factual errors, specifically regarding the jury question on whether he "assaulted" rather than "sexually assaulted" Ms Hand. Lawrence, who was found not to have assaulted Ms Hand, is appealing his costs, despite McGregor paying his legal fees. In January, Mr Justice Owens ordered McGregor to pay €1.3 million in costs, with a stay granted conditional on immediate payments of €100,000 towards the damages award and €200,000 towards costs, which the Court of Appeal heard has been completed. The matter remains at the procedural stage of determining the admissibility of fresh evidence before the substantive appeal can be heard.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Conor McGregor wants to introduce fresh evidence for appeal against civil rape trial verdict. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Conor McGregor

Appellant

James Lawrence

Appellant

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
Residence
  • Rafter's Road

Topics

Stage Appeal

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