Hello! claims victory in Douglas-Zeta Jones battle

HELLO! magazine yesterday claimed victory in its epic court battle over unauthorised pictures of the wedding of Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.

The Court of Appeal allowed its challenge to a High Court order that it should pay more than £1 million damages and another £1m in legal costs to rival magazine OK!, which had an exclusive £1m contract with the Hollywood couple to cover their New York wedding.

Hello!’s appeal against the ruling in favour of the Hollywood couple - who received £14,500 damages over privacy and breach of commercial confidence - was dismissed.