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Date Published: 06/12/2022

ARCHIVED - UK court rules former Spanish king has immunity until his abdication

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The harassment case against the ex-king of Spain will not hear any evidence of wrong-doing prior to 2014

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - UK court rules former Spanish king has immunity until his abdication

In a shock ruling, the Court of Appeals in London has granted immunity to former King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, up until his abdication in 2014. This means that his former mistress, Corinna Larsen, will be unable to sue him for harassment for any transgressions prior to this date.

Ms Larsen filed a lawsuit against the disgraced monarch in 2020, claiming that he continues to harass her to this day and has threatened her to try and prevent her speaking publicly about their relationship. The businesswoman also accused Juan Carlos of pressuring her to return art works, jewellery and other gifts worth 65 million euros after they broke up in 2009.

Ms Larsen’s defence said that the ruling is “disappointing” but insisted that it only affects “a very limited part” of her case.

“Corinna’s claim can now progress towards trial in the High Court in London,” said Michael Kim of law firm Kobre & Kim.

“The judgment applies to a very narrow issue. It concerns only the period when Juan Carlos was the reigning King of Spain,” he added.

“The overwhelming part of Corinna’s claim, from 2014, remains unaffected and should proceed to trial.”

In March, the UK High Court rejected the ex-king’s claim for legal immunity, maintaining that “whatever special status the defendant retained under the law and constitution of Spain, he was no longer a ‘sovereign’ or ‘head of state’ so as to entitle him to personal immunity.”

Juan Carlos challenged this decision, and has now scored a small victory against Ms Larsen. The harassment trial will have to ignore any allegations made against him between 2012 and 2014, since his actions were protected as he was still the head of state.

Image: Casa de América/Flickr

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