I've just speed read the 75 page judgment - nothing about costs that I could see.
However it looks like I was right about the pleaded Defence ...... here's an extract from the judgment .....
On 8-9 February 2022, I heard the defendant’s applications to join Ms Watt as a part 20 defendant, to file a Re-Re-Amended Defence and for disclosure orders; and the claimant’s applications for further information and disclosure orders. I gave judgment on 14 February 2022, dismissing the application to join Ms Watt, granting limited permission to amend, and making specific and supplemental disclosure orders against the claimant: Vardy v Rooney (3) [2022] EWHC 304 (QB).
So in plain and simple terms ,
1 Rooney's lawyers realised that the original defence was either poorly drafted or information came to light after the exchange of statements I guess that led them to the view that Vardy's agent Watt could be responsible.
2. The application to join Watt as a party was thrown out because it was too late and too close to the trial. She was however given permission to amend her defence ( for a 2nd time !)
3. Rooney won the case in any case because the Judge found that Vardy was less than truthful ( she puts int much nicer than that ) and that the original Defence that Vardy spilt the beans was true because she had actually told her agent to do so ( rather than the agent going off on a frolick of her own )
4. Rooney won't get the whole costs because a) they are disproportionate to the issues and b) she lost interlocutory hearings ( like the one in Feb 2022 - above for which Rooney will have to pay.
Hope this helps lol