The Adams Family … Amazon documentary … Misuse of private information … Defamation … No realistic prospect of success … Journalist claims “Zionist mouthpiece” defamation against Pink Floyd singer and Al Jazeera … Fact and opinion … Wealthy Labour donor sues Reform MP and Guido Fawkes over Hamas claims … Floyd Alexander-Hunt reports from London … more
Jabbie v Gbangaye
Supreme Court of Western Australia ... Liberian refugee found to have been defamed in podcast hosted by fellow refugee ... Podcast focused on arrest of plaintiff's estranged husband over murder of another refugee ... Plaintiff awarded $325,000 in aggravated damages and $70,400 for economic loss ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Topez v Coulthard
District Court of South Australia ... Spiritual healer and educator awarded $12,000 in damages against three members of Adnyamathanha community in South Australia following successful appeal ... Dispute over Indigenous lineage ... Appeal against fourth member unsuccessful ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Around the courts
South Australian District Court: Home builder awarded 85 percent of costs on standard basis ... Failed bid by defendant to strike out claim or have it summarily dismissed ... Bid for indemnity costs rejected ... Federal Court: Barrister Gina Edwards files application for extension of time and leave to appeal decision to place costs in court pending determination of solicitors' lien ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Around the courts
Supreme Court of Western Australia ... Man loses bid to introduce evidence challenging conviction on child abuse offences ... Suing over depiction as a paedophile ... Mickelberg test applied ... County Court of Victoria ... Apartment block maintenance man ordered to pay costs of abandoned action on indemnity basis ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Antoinette Lattouf v Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Federal Court of Australia ... Closing submissions from ABC in unlawful termination case brought on by Antoinette Lattouf ... ABC denies antipathy by managing director David Anderson ... Immaterial whether there was a direction or request not to post on social media concerning Israel-Gaza conflict ... No express right to be given work to perform ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Antoinette Lattouf v Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Federal Court of Australia ... Antoinette Lattouf's removal from on air role on ABC Radio Sydney for social media post was a "pretext", her counsel tells court ... Closing submissions in unfair dismissal case ... No direction on social media given by Lattouf's line manager, and executives knew this, counsel says ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Edwards v Nine Network Australia Pty Limited (No 7)
Federal Court of Australia ... High profile firm Giles/George succeeds with application to have costs from celebrity cavoodle case paid into the court pending determination of solicitor's equitable lien claim ... Follows falling out between victorious client and solicitors ... Arguable case for lien ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Reiter v News Corp Australia Pty Ltd
Supreme Court of Victoria … Action against News Corp Australia and Geelong Advertiser journalist dismissed over inadequate concerns notices … Action concerned article claiming professor had “bizarre encounter” with plaintiff … Purported concerns notices failed to detail imputations and serious harm, and failed to allow 28 days before proceedings commenced … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Greenwich v Latham (No 2)
Federal Court of Australia ... Independent MP Alex Greenwich fails in bid to obtain injunction against Mark Latham preventing republication of homophobic tweet ... Follows award of $140,000 in aggravated damages ... No appreciable risk of repetition or defiance ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited & Anor (Costs)
Federal Court of Australia ... Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson reach agreement on costs ... Wilkinson to be paid $1.15 million in total ... Followed dispute over referee's report concerning hourly rates for solicitors and duplication of work ... Orders made dismissing hearing ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Angelo Pandeli v Nationwide News Pty Limited & Ors
Federal Court of Australia ... Bikie boss pressed to establish serious harm to reputation ... Suing over publications he claims makes him out to be cocaine kingpin ... Contest of reputation ... Publishers relying on serious harm threshold and mitigation of damages ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more