After libellous claims were made against Gerry and Kate McCann by Goncalo Amaral in a book published in 2008, the couple made the decision to sue the ex-police chief.
Madeleine's devastating 2007 case was documented in Amaral's book The Truth of the Lie in which he suggested the three-year-old's parents played a role in her disappearance.
Suggesting that Madeleine's parents concealed her body and faked her abduction caused devastation among members of the grief stricken family.
Claiming the content of the book meant members of the public were less likely to come forward with information, the Mc Cann's turned to the Portuguese justice system and asserted that the claims only further exacerbated their distress and anguish following the disappearance of their eldest daughter in Praia da Luz.
Initially seeking approximately £900,000 in damages, the McCanns were awarded one-third of the sum while Mr. Amaral has been ordered to pay over £70,000 in interest.
The ex-police chief has the right to appeal the ruling.
