Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Settlement Did Not End the Legal Battle — a Judge Has Ordered Both Back to Court

A judge has ordered Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni back to court for a June 1 hearing to address unresolved financial disputes — including Lively's motion to recover attorneys' fees, legal costs and damages — just weeks after the two appeared to have settled their high-profile legal battle.

According to RadarOnline, Judge Lewis Liman filed a court order on May 28 scheduling a June 1 hearing to address unresolved issues. Both sides are required to submit legal briefs by May 31 ahead of the hearing.

The dispute between the former co-stars has generated sustained public attention and ongoing speculation about the outcome. When news of a settlement emerged, many assumed the war was finally over. Not quite.

Reportedly, Lively filed a motion seeking fees, costs and damages after arguing she qualified as a prevailing defendant under California Civil Code Section 47.1 following major developments in the long-running litigation.

The judge has asked both sides to address several legal questions before ruling on whether Lively is entitled to additional financial compensation.

In his latest order, Judge Liman raised several legal questions that both sides must address before he makes a ruling. Among the issues up for debate are which side bears the burden of proof and whether different standards should apply when attorneys' fees, treble damages and punitive damages are being sought.

While the main lawsuit has been settled, the question of financial compensation remains unresolved — and the June 1 hearing will determine whether Lively receives additional payments from Baldoni.

The hearing comes as both actors continue to deal with the public fallout from the dispute. Lively has faced questions about how the controversy has affected her public image and business ventures. The case has also kept Baldoni under sustained public attention since the allegations first became public.

With both figures under sustained public scrutiny, every new court filing has become a headline in itself.