Noel Clarke’s legal battle against The Guardian has ended with a hefty financial blow.
The actor, once a household name in British film and television, has been ordered to pay at least £3 million towards the publisher’s legal costs after a High Court judge dismissed his lawsuit as “far-fetched” and “false.”
How the Case Began
Back in 2021, The Guardian ran a series of articles and a podcast reporting allegations of sexual misconduct made by 20 women who had worked with Clarke.
The 49-year-old star strongly denied the claims and accused the newspaper of acting as “judge, jury, and executioner” of his career.
Despite his protests, Guardian News and Media (GNM) defended its reporting as accurate and in the public interest.
Last month, Justice Steyn sided with the publisher, ruling that the articles were substantially true.
The Court’s Latest Decision
At the most recent hearing, Justice Steyn ordered Clarke to make an interim payment of £3 million toward GNM’s costs, which are estimated to exceed £6 million in total.
She explained that the figure was appropriate and actually lower than what the publisher could ultimately recover once a detailed assessment is completed.
“The claimant maintained a far-fetched and indeed a false case,” the judge said, pointing out Clarke had even accused witnesses of dishonesty and bad faith.
Rising Legal Costs
GNM’s legal team, led by Gavin Millar KC, argued that the publisher had been forced to review around 40,000 documents, including audio recordings and transcripts, because of Clarke’s approach.
They also highlighted what they described as “misconceived applications” by Clarke that significantly increased costs.
The publisher’s barrister noted that Clarke’s demands for damages had ballooned throughout the process—from £10 million, to £40 million, and finally £70 million.
Clarke’s Defense
Representing himself at the hearing, Clarke painted a picture of personal devastation.
He said he had lost his career, savings, legal team, and health during the years-long fight.
He also revealed that he had used ChatGPT to help prepare his court responses after being unable to afford professional legal support.
“My wife and children live every day under the shadow of uncertainty,” Clarke told the court, explaining that his family even had to remortgage their home to stay afloat.
He described the costs order as “excessive” and argued it unfairly punished his household rather than simply him.
A Conspiracy Claim
During the trial, Clarke had claimed there was a conspiracy between GNM and the women who came forward with allegations, accusing them of working together to destroy his career.
The judge, however, rejected his claims and concluded that Clarke was “not a credible or reliable witness,” noting that he only admitted facts when backed by documents.
GNM’s legal team added that Clarke’s conspiracy theory inflated the scale and expense of the litigation by forcing them to address unsubstantiated claims.
What Happens Next
Clarke asked the court to delay payment while he considers an appeal, but Justice Steyn ruled that the £3 million must be paid within 28 days.
For now, the actor faces financial ruin alongside his already crumbling reputation, while The Guardian looks set to recover millions more once costs are fully assessed.