The lawsuit filed against Ghost frontman Tobias Forge (aka Cardinal Copia/Papa Emertius) by ex-members Simon Söderberg, Mauro Rubino, Henrik Palm, and Martin Hjertstedt was dismissed following a trial in the Linköping District Court in Linköping, Sweden back in October 2018, but the former members have now requested a retrial before the Swedish court of appeals. Their appeal will be heard in a Jönköping court in March 2020.
The ex-members previously tried to get a new trial after claiming there was a conflict of interest due to Forge and Judge Henrik Ibold both having ties to the same branch of the Swedish Order Of Freemasons, but that argument was ultimately rejected. The court essentially said Forge and Ibold‘s membership did not influence the ruling and that they did not break any local laws.
The former members originally filed the lawsuit after claiming they did not receive proper payment for their musical contributions and tours, and that they were not allowed to see any financial records from 2011-2016. They also claimed that the band was a partnership despite the fact that Forge denied those claims repeatedly.
Once the case went to trial, testimony by various key witnesses was heard and the district court decided there was not enough convincing evidence to prove a partnership existed. They also ordered the former members to pay Forge‘s legal fees. Forge claimed over 2 million kronor in fees, but the court decided 1.3 million kronor (roughly $145,000 USD) was more reasonable. However, Forge has filed for a cross-appeal in an effort to get the full amount.
[via Ultimate Guitar]
Metal Anarchy 
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