This week the Federal Court orderedThe Daily Telegraph to pay the outspoken lawyer’s costs after his defamation win against the tabloid,but only on the standard (not indemnity) basis.Which as CBD predicted,won’t be enough to cover absolutely everything.

JusticeMichael Lee found the article by gossip columnistAnnette Sharpdefamed Murphy by portraying him as incapable of representing his clients’ interests in court due to the ravages of age and hearing loss.

But it seems for Murphy,72,it wasn’t about the money.

TheTele actually offered to settle the case in March for $120,000 as opposed to the $110,000 Murphy received in damages – but the man the judge described as a “self-described robust alpha male” rejected that offer.

Was it worth going to trial when the damages were less than the March offer? For Murphy,the answer is probably yes. The settlement would have come with a publicity gag,and the money would have been reduced if Murphy criticised Sharp. In the end his court win gave Murphy what every defamation plaintiff seeks:public vindication.

But he didn’t get it all his own way. “I do consider that some of the evidence he gave as to the extent of his subjective hurt was a tad exaggerated,” Justice Lee said. This evidence “did not become more compelling by the way Mr Murphy advocated for his own cause;nor did it get more persuasive upon repetition”.

He also labelled Murphy “often non-responsive,long-winded,argumentative and,once or twice,somewhat rude to the cross-examiner”. But the judge added that there was a “certain rakish charm about his performance”.

The latest whisper is that News Corp might yet appeal. Watch this space.

PARTY ON

Like any good attention-seeker,TheSydney Morning Herald’s190th birthday really is the celebration that keeps kicking on.

The festivities to mark the milestone continued on Thursday evening when theHerald welcomed almost 300 supporters and city-shapers to the Sydney Opera House for the masthead’s official birthday bash.

Former lord mayorLucy Turnbulldelivered the headline address to the crowd,which included NSW PremierGladys Berejiklian,newly minted Sydney University vice-chancellorMark Scott and publicanJustin Hemmes.

But it was the international contingent who dialled in to the party who stole the show,includingNicole Kidman,Hugh JackmanandDeborra-Lee Furnesswho declared “I hope we’re still dancing when we’re 190…”

As usual,there was no topping authorKathy Lette. The Shire-bornPuberty Blues author thanked theHeraldfor bringing antipodean news to the UK because “the Pommie press doesn’t think it’s necessary,what,not unless a Great White Shark uses a British tourist as a toothpick or something absurd like Aussie politicians utilising a parliamentary prayer room for orgies … Can you imagine such a thing?”

Actually Kathy,we can.