Johnny Deppis dating one of the attorneys from his U.K. libel case,Joelle Rich, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

“They are dating but it’s not serious,” the source says.

Rich is a London lawyer who was on 59-year-old Depp’s legal team during hislibel case againstThe Sun, which he lost in November 2020. He sued the newspaper for calling him a “wife-beater,” but the court upheld the outlet’s claims as being “substantially true” and his ex-wife Amber Heard testified to back up the claims. In March 2021, his attempt tooverturn the decision was overruled.

Though Rich was not on Depp’s legal team this time, she did make several court appearances to show support. She was photographed with Depp outside of the courthouse on May 3, and she was pictured hugging Depp’s attorneyCamille Vasquezinside the courtroom on May 16.

Johnny Depp; Joelle Rich.Getty; Shutterstock

Johnny Depp ;Joelle Rich

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Us Weeklywasfirst to reportthe relationship news.

According to herbio, Rich “helps individuals and families in the public eye protect their privacy and reputations” and has “expertise in libel, privacy and copyright disputes.” She “works to defend [clients'] reputations against false and defamatory allegations in print, online and on social media.” Her firm representedMeghan Marklein acase against the publishersof theMail on Sundaylast year as well.

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There’s been speculation about Depp’s romantic life ever since the highly-publicized Virginia defamation case earlier this year. People on social media started a rumor that his lawyer Vasquez was dating the movie-star client — which shedenied and called “sexist” in an interviewwith PEOPLE.

Joelle Rich and Johnny Depp on May 3, 2022.Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty

Johnny Depp look at his smartphone with his UK legal Counsel Joelle Rich during an afternoon recess outside court during the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard civil trial at Fairfax County Circuit Court on May 3, 2022 i

“I guess it comes with the territory of being a woman just doing her job,” said Vasquez. “It’s disappointing that certain outlets kind of ran with it or said that my interactions with Johnny — who is a friend and I’ve known and represented for four-and-a-half years now — that my interactions in any way were inappropriate or unprofessional. That’s disappointing to hear.”

Joelle Rich hugs Camille Vasquez on May 16, 2022.STEVE HELBER/POOL/AFP via Getty

Attorney Joelle Rich hugs attorney Camille Vasquez, back to camera, as attorney Ben Chew (R) looks on, at the end of the daily proceedings at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, May 16, 2022

“I care very deeply about my clients, and we have obviously become close. But when I say we, I mean the entire team, and of course that includes Johnny,” added Vasquez. “And, I’m Cuban and Colombian. I’m tactile. What do you want me to say? I hug everyone. And I’m not ashamed about that.”

Then, when Depp wasphotographed in Italy helping a mystery womanwith her bag as they exited a vehicle and he headed to music rehearsals in July, fans speculated it could be a potential new relationship. A source close to Depp clarified to PEOPLE, however, that she was Depp’s French teacher for hisupcoming filmJeanne du Barryand that there was “no romantic connection whatsoever; strictly professional.”

source: people.com