A lump sum of $600,000 has been awarded to John Ferguson, the former Saint John common councillor (and currently the Chief Administrative Officer for St. Stephen) found innocent in May of defamation against the city's pension board.
Mr Justice William Grant referred to both the pension board and Ferguson as increasingly "entrenched and inflexible" as the trial progressed.
Further, he said the pension board's claim they sued Ferguson on principle meant less given it was not at their own expense.
Lawyer Matt Pearn tells Tide News it's up to Ferguson whether he accepts the amount.
Justice Grant said the total legal costs in the case exceeded $2 million dollars.