Jude Law, Other Celebrities Receive Settlements in Phone-Hacking Case

Law settled with Rupert Murdoch's News International on Thursday, saying repeated phone hacking had made him "distrustful of people close to me."

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British actor Jude Law

Actor Jude Law is among 36 victims of phone-hacking who settled with Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper company today. Law, whose phone was repeatedly hacked by now-shuttered tabloid News of the World, received $200,000 in damages, one month before the first civil phone-hacking trial kicks off in London.

Murdoch’s News International could face a settlement bill running into the tens of millions as further hacking victims bring claims, reports the Telegraph.

Law, who has not spoken publicly before about the scandal, detailed the impact the hacking of his phone between 2003 and 2006 had had on him. “No aspect of my private life was safe from intrusion by News Group newspapers,” Law said in a statement read by his lawyer after his suit was concluded. “I started to become distrustful of people close to me.”

(MORE: Who’s Who in the U.K. Phone-Hacking Scandal)

The settlements come just weeks before a high-profile trial, where News International’s British publisher News Group Newspapers (NGN) will face allegations that its executives knew of illegal phone hacking at News of the World and tried to conceal it. NGN has not admitted or denied the allegations.

The 15 public settlements totaled £645,000 ($996,000) plus legal costs, with Law receiving the most of any claimant: £130,000 ($200,000) plus costs. Hi ex-wife, designer Sadie Frost, scooped up £50,000 ($77,000), while his assistant and former public relations consultant were awarded £40,000 and £35,000 ($62,000 and $54,000) respectively, plus costs.

Soccer player Ashley Cole, former husband of singer Cheryl Cole, received an unknown sum. Gavin Henson, rugby player and former partner of singer Charlotte Church, was awarded £40,000 ($62,000) plus costs. Former deputy prime minister John Prescott and Prince William’s friend Guy Pelly also settled with News International.

This is far from the end for Murdoch’s troubled company, however. Some phone hacking victims still plan to take News International to court on February 13, including singer Charlotte Church and comedian Steve Coogan.

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