Libel cases are interesting and, as I understand it, usually the domain of the wealthy and where the 'winners' are not able to recover their full costs (which are often astronomical) from the opposition. A media lawyer has estimated that the case will cost each party around £1m and the winner will be re-imbursed around 70% of their costs only and a mere £15K-£40K in damages - leaving a deficit of around £300K. The loser will pay hugely, of course.
During some trials such as this, and indeed the Heard v Depp trial, information about poor behaviour and serious character defects on both sides can be exposed and neither party may come out the other end with much credit.
It seems a extremely expensive poker game where only the lawyers really win.