Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Britain’s Prince Andrew has to be available by July 14, in a civil suit brought by a girl who accuses him of sexually assaulting her as a teenager.

U.S. district judge Lewis Kaplan set Manhattan’s deadline to take depositions. He made this decision in accordance to lawyers for Andrew Giuffre (his accuser).

Giuffre, 38, has said https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/prince-andrew-is-sued-by-jeffrey-epstein-accuser-over-alleged-sexual-abuse-2021-08-09 the Duke of York forced her to have sex approximately two decades ago at the London home of late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Andrew, she was accused of also abusing her at Epstein’s Manhattan home and Epstein’s island on the U.S Virgin Islands.

Andrew, aged 61 has been cleared of any criminal charges and denies Giuffre’s allegations.

His legal team is expected to review https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/prince-andrew-can-review-2009-jeffrey-epstein-settlement-2021-10-06 a 2009 settlement agreement between Giuffre and Epstein, whom she also accused of abuse, to determine whether it shielded their client from Giuffre’s lawsuit.

Andrew must respond by Oct. 29, in order to be legally compliant with Giuffre’s suit, which is seeking unspecified damages.

Giuffre can amend her complaint until December 15 if she so desires. A court conference will be held on Nov. 3.

Epstein, who was an active sex offender and was currently awaiting trial on charges of sex traficking, committed suicide while in Manhattan’s jail.

Maxwell will be facing a Nov. 29 Manhattan trial for the charges that she assisted Epstein in grooming and recruiting underage girls. Maxwell pleaded not guilty.