Papers can go to duke’ s US lawyer – judge

The Duke of York may have to acknowledge the civil sex case against him following reports a judge has ruled the paperwork can be delivered to his US lawyer.

Andrew’s legal team contest whether he has been officially notified about Virginia Giuffre’s claim for damages from the duke. She alleges he sexually assaulted her.

But The Guardian newspaper has reported that the US judge in the case, district judge Lewis Kaplan, has ruled Ms Giuffre’s legal team can try to deliver the papers to Andrew’s Los Angelesbased lawyer, regardless of whether the duke has authorised him to accept it.

The issue of whether or not Andrew has been notified – known as service of proceedings – was contested in the pre-trial hearing of the civil case on Monday in New York.

It is an important matter as telling a defendant about legal action brought against them is the first step in the judicial process.

David Boies, representing Ms Giuffre, said papers had been “delivered to the last known address of the defendant”.

An image of a letter addressed to Andrew at his Royal Lodge home in Berkshire being posted into a UK red letter box has been published online.

Andrew B Brettler, the duke’s lawyer, said the royal’s team contested the validity of service to date, adding he has not been properly served under UK or international law.

The High Court in London accepted this week Ms Giuffre’s lawyers could formally contact Andrew about the proceedings launched in the US.

The court said in a statement: “Lawyers for Prince Andrew have indicated that they may seek to challenge the decision of the High Court to recognise the validity of the Hague Convention request for service made by Ms Giuffre’s lawyers.

“Any challenge must be made by close of business on September 24.”

Ms Giuffre is suing the Queen’s son for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager.

She is seeking unspecified damages but there is speculation the sum could be millions of dollars.

She claims she was trafficked by Andrew’s late former friend and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the duke when she was aged 17 – a minor in US law.

Andrew has denied all the allegations.

CLAIM: There is speculation that Prince Andrew is being sued for millions of dollars.