The UK High Court has ordered Prince Harry and six other claimants to make an interim payment of £9.54 million in legal costs to Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail. The order, issued on Friday after their privacy case was dismissed, requires payment by August 28. The group had alleged that ANL publications illegally obtained information about them.

Justice Nicklin dismissed the claims on July 7, finding that the claimants had failed to provide the necessary evidence. In the costs ruling, he ordered ANL’s costs to be assessed on an indemnity basis, more favourable to the publisher than the standard basis. He also strongly criticised how the case was conducted, including the failure to withdraw serious allegations.

ANL says its total costs could reach £34.5 million, though the judge said that figure appeared excessive and voiced concern about whether all claimed costs were reasonably incurred. The claimants had insurance cover of up to £16.2 million. They have until October 2 to seek permission to appeal the High Court ruling.