In April 2024, Justice Michael Lee found it more likely than not that Lehrmann, a former Liberal staffer, committed a non-violent rape by ignoring Higgins’ lack of consent.
The three-judge appeal panel went further, stating Lehrmann knew she did not consent but proceeded anyway, dismissing all appeal grounds as wholly unsuccessful. Network Ten called it a vindication, while Lehrmann’s team plans to seek High Court leave, adding to his multimillion-dollar legal costs.
The civil finding, based on the balance of probabilities, is not a criminal conviction.
