The recent legal battle between social media influencer Lauryn Goodman and professional footballer Kyle Walker has garnered significant media attention, not only for its personal implications but also for the staggering legal costs involved.

Background of the case

The case between Lauryn Goodman and Kyle Walker revolves around a dispute concerning their child in the Central Family Court on London. Goodman, known for her presence on social media, and Walker, a prominent player for Manchester City and the England football team, have been in a publicised disagreement over issues related to their child’s privacy and financial support. The case culminated in a court ruling that has significant implications for both parties.

One of the central issues was the extent to which the child’s privacy should be protected. Walker argued for greater privacy protections to shield the child from public scrutiny and media attention, while Goodman’s use of social media raised questions about the child’s exposure.

The case also dealt with the financial responsibilities of Walker towards a child of whom Kyle is the father. This included child maintenance payments and other financial support mechanisms, which Goodman claimed were necessary for the child’s well-being.

Mr. Walker, who has four sons with his wife Annie Kilner Walker, contested some of Ms. Goodman’s claims or argued for their reduction. He told the court that he was not an open cheque book, despite his annual earnings ranging from £3 million to £5 million. Furthermore, a spokesperson for Mr Walker accused Goodman of having “insatiable greed.” 

The Court has a duty to ensure that claims made on behalf of the child are reasonable and not covert attempts to benefit the custodial parent. Specifically, the court suggested that Ms. Goodman was treating Mr. Walker as an ‘open-ended cheque book’.

This was perhaps most notably illustrated by Ms. Goodman requesting over £30,000 to install Astroturf in her garden. The Judge noted that Ms. Goodman justified this request by stating that their youngest child (aged 1), who had shown a talent by kicking a ball with her left foot from a crawling position, might have a future career as a professional footballer, potentially becoming a ‘Lioness’. The Judge deemed this reasoning as ‘an unjustified evidential leap’.

“In my view the father’s presentation before me was sensible, honest and reliable…. In contrast, my assessment of the mother is that she was not reliable, often said what she thought would help her case rather than what was true, failed to make a calm and measured assessment of what she needed and often exaggerated her need to spend money (I think the father was correct to observe that the mother was in many ways treating him as an open-ended cheque book). She was unable to give any credit to the father for the reliable and generous financial support he has in fact given her and was happy to take every point against him.”

Lauryn Goodman v Kyle Walker: Legal Costs

One of the most striking aspects of this case is the immense legal costs incurred by both parties. In family matters, it is usually the case that each party bears their own costs, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Walker agreed to pay a proportion of Goodman’s legal expenses, amounting to £259,298. In addition to this, he also faced his own legal fees, which totalled £171,440. This brings the combined legal costs to a substantial £430,738.

Lauryn Goodman’s legal expenses cover a variety of legal services, including:

• Solicitor fees: A significant portion of the costs likely went towards fees for solicitors who handled the case’s preparation and court representation.
• Barrister fees: Given the high-profile nature of the case, barristers were almost certainly involved, contributing to the overall expenses.
• Court fees: Standard fees associated with filing and court proceedings.
• Expert witnesses: Any specialists who may have been called upon to provide testimony or evidence in support of Goodman’s case.

Walker’s own legal costs amounted to £171,440. This figure includes similar expenses to those incurred by Goodman, such as solicitor and barrister fees, court costs, and other miscellaneous legal expenses.

The financial burden of this legal dispute is substantial, with the combined legal costs exceeding £430,000. This case highlights the significant financial impact that legal battles can have, especially when involving high-profile individuals and complex issues.

In the resolution of the case, Walker agreed to cover “all but a very small portion” of Goodman’s legal costs. This agreement indicates a settlement that was likely reached to avoid further escalation and additional costs.

How Can ARC Costs Assist in Legal Costs Disputes?

ARC Costs can assist in all legal costs matters, including costs on family law proceedings, irrespective of whether you are a paying party or a receiving party. If a costs order is made, you should seek the assistance of a costs specialist immediately.

We are highly experienced Costs Draftsmen/Costs Lawyers and have been successful in recovering substantial amounts in legal fees for our clients. We can assist in the whole of the detailed assessment process, from drafting your Bill of Costs and Points of Reply to conducting negotiations with the other side before advising on whether the claim should proceed to a Detailed Assessment Hearing, for which one of our in-house Costs Lawyers can provide representation. 

Similarly for paying parties, we are well versed in preparing Points of Dispute and contesting legal costs claims, and on average we reduce any Bill of Costs on which we are instructed to oppose, by 40%.

We can be contacted via email at info@arccosts.co.uk, or by telephone on 01204 397302. For more information on legal costs, please find out more about our speciality areas of expertise and our services on our legal costs page.