Connection adds spice to debate about a court case in which an investor successfully sued his financial adviser.

Kapiti Coast investment adviser Chris Lee has been ordered to pay property magnate Sir Robert Jones about $80,000 toward his defamation court costs.

However, Sir Robert failed to convince Justice Denis Clifford that he should receive indemnity, or increased, costs.

In May a jury in the High Court at Wellington made a $104,000 defamation award against Mr Lee. It found that articles on his website and various other publications were motivated by ill-will toward Sir Robert, who had claimed $804,000 damages.

Former politician and property tycoon Sir Robert Jones has won his defamation case against Kapiti Coast investment adviser Chris Lee and has been awarded damages of $104,000.

A jury has just returned the verdict in the High Court at Wellington, denying Mr Lee's defence of honest opinion. Sir Robert was not in court when the verdict was read.

Mr Lee told NBR he accepted the verdict and did not wish to comment further.

He also released a statement saying it was not the result he wanted and that there would be "no morning tea fo the staff on Monday".