Celebrated Brit author JK Rowling was awarded a charitable donation from a law firm, which had exposed the fact that she had written a crime novel under a pseudonym. The creator of the popular Harry Potter series had filed a lawsuit against Chris Gossage, a partner at Russells Solicitors, and his friend, Judith Callegari, the BBC reported.

In a Sunday Times article, it was leaked that Rowling had penned down, The Cuckoo's Calling, under the secret pen moniker, Robert Galbraith.

The multi-millionaire writer's solicitor had told Justice Tugendhat that Russells had contacted the writer's agent after the story was published and disclosed that it was Gossage, who had revealed the confidential information to Callegari.

Callegari then communicated it to a journalist via Twitter. Rowling's solicitor told the court that her client had been left dismayed and distressed by such a fundamental betrayal of trust.

Gossage, Callegari and Russells apologised. Russells settled to reimburse Rowling?s legal costs and to make a substantial donation, by way of damages, to the Soldiers' Charity, previously called the Army Benevolent Fund.