Hefty legal bill predicted in civil claim against ex-NRL star Jarryd Hayne
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A woman is seeking damages in a civil case against former NRL star Jarryd Hayne. (Getty Images: Don Arnold)
In short:
A woman is seeking damages in a civil damages claim over alleged rape against ex-NRL star Jarryd Hayne.
Mr Hayne has always denied the allegation and faced three criminal trials and two appeal hearings over six years before his convictions were quashed on appeal in 2024.
What's next?
Ten days have been set aside for a hearing in 2028.
A New South Wales Supreme Court justice says a civil rape claim against ex-NRL star Jarryd Hayne could become "an expensive piece of litigation" after mediation failed.
A woman who accused Mr Hayne, 38, of rape is seeking damages.
The woman had alleged the former Parramatta Eels player sexually assaulted her in her Newcastle home on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final.
Mr Hayne has always denied the allegations.
He faced three criminal trials and two appeal hearings over six years relating to the allegations, before his convictions were quashed on appeal in 2024.
In 2021, the woman, who accused him of rape, filed court proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court seeking damages.
Her claim hinges on the alleged injuries she suffered as a result, with a focus on alleged psychological injury.
'Very strongly contested'
During a status review hearing today, Justice Nicholas Chen was told by the parties a mediation session did not resolve the case.
Justice Chen said he was familiar with the case and suggested a second attempt at mediation, but did not make an order the parties to do so.
"I note the parties engaged in a mediation on September 4, 2026," he said.
"Is there any reason why I wouldn't order another mediation?
"I know enough about the matter to know it will be a very strongly contested and an expensive piece of litigation."
Mr Hayne had a stellar NRL career before leaving the Eels to join the NFL, debuting in September 2015.
His three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers was cut short after he was dropped from the team's main roster in November of that year.
He retired from the NFL in May 2016 and returned to the Eels, where he played until the end of the 2018 season.
Jarryd Hayne spent most of his NRL career playing for the Parramatta Eels. (AAP: Daniel Munoz)
In December 2025, his legal team sought to have the civil damages lawsuit against him dismissed, citing delays in the case.
At the time, his lawyer Michael Short asked for the case to be thrown out.
"I must say it is a long and well-publicised matter and there were criminal proceedings in relation to this matter," Mr Short said.
Ten days have been set aside in February 2028 for the matter to be heard.
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