Conor McGregor co-defendant James Lawrence sues Nikita Hand over civil case

A statement from Mr Lawrence's lawyers said: 'Our client is reluctantly bringing this action to protect his reputation and his family in pursuit of justice and to ensure truth and transparency.'

The Court of Appeal had said it would not award James Lawrence (pictured) his costs for several reasons, including that a court had previously heard Mr McGregor had paid his legal fees. File photo: Niall Carson/PA

James Lawrence, the friend and co-defendant of Conor McGregor, has launched legal proceedings against Nikita Hand alleging “abuse of process” arising from the high-profile civil trial, his solicitor has said.

While a High Court jury found that McGregor civilly liable for the assault of Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, it did not find that Mr Lawrence raped her.