London, Dec 29 (ANI): Rupert Murdoch's media firm News International has reportedly prepared a legal fund of 100 million pounds to settle civil litigation actions brought by victims of the News of the World phone hacking scandal before they get to court.
According to sources close to the situation, News International has earmarked the money to settle several high-profile cases, with some claimants likely to receive well above 1million pounds.
The litigation surrender fund is five times the 20 million pounds Wapping set aside in April when it ended five years of denial and admitted hacking had been rife at the now defunct British tabloid.
Since then the number of hacking cases has jumped from around 20 to about 55, The Independent reports.
According to a senior lawyer, the inflation in NI's settlement fund "indicates they are serious to avoid further damage in court".
News International appears to be keen to settle as many cases as possible before mid-February when judges begins to hear a group of test cases like those of actor Jude Law, sports agent Sky Andrew, footballer Paul Gascoigne, solicitor Graham Shear and Sheila Henry, the mother of a victim of the London 7/7 bombings.
Another lawyer said NI was now engaged in a "risk analysis" and was weighing up the overall costs of the trial and the "blueprint" for further damages that would emerge when the court delivers verdict.
Sources claimed that the media organization is committed to reaching speedy resolutions "with those who have been affected".
According to the paper, overall, News International has settled 13 cases, probably at a cost of between 7 to 10 million pounds, although the company has declined to confirm numbers settled, outstanding or how much money it has set aside to settle them. (ANI)
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