Dossier    September 16, 2010

No, Minister

Former Defence Minister sues Fairfax over bribery allegations … Alleged briber wants to know who leaked … Seven settles two actions … Porn king sues The Sydney Morning Herald, again … Derek Sands seeks special leave … “Constable Wendy” launches another action … North Coast surgeons at each other’s ears, noses & throats … Rugby league international sues The Herald ... more

 

Dossier    September 15, 2010

What’s new pussycat?

A defamation action brought by the NRL’s best-known “cougar”, Charmyne Palavi stalls temporarily. Lawyers for 2UE subpoena the “Cougar’s” mobile records after she claims her phones have been lost or destroyed ... more

 

Dossier    August 31, 2010

Defamation panel of nine for the Dizzo

Things become even more interesting as the District Court gets not one, but two Defamation List judges and a Defamation Panel … Does this mean the court is expecting an avalanche of actions? The Gazette ponders the possibilities ... more

 

Dossier    August 20, 2010

Plus ca change?

Is the District Court jury issue dead in the water? And what is Judge Judith Gibson doing hearing interlocutory arguments in several concurrent defamation cases? The Gazette reports that once-troubled waters appear to be becalmed – for now ... more

 

Dossier    August 12, 2010

More trouble in Jonestown

The high cost of Alan Jones … Today Tonight story injuncted … Westpoint founder out of time … Alan Bond settles with The West ... “Love rat” settles with The Telegraph ... Aboriginal art dealer sues the ABC … Anthony Cummings sues Fairfax (twice) ... Who’s appealing what … Justice McClellan’s meeting of the minds ... more

 

Dossier    August 10, 2010

Curiouser and curiouser – update

More interesting developments down at the Dizzo as Judge Leonard Levy neatly side-steps a call to disqualify himself on the basis of apprehended bias ... more

 

Dossier    July 27, 2010

Juries on the brink – transcript

Is there a plan to phase juries out of defamation hearings at the NSW District Court? Read what Judge Leonard Levy had to say to media lawyers who first called for him to stand down on the basis of bias – and then withdrew the application ... more

 

Dossier    July 19, 2010

A Liberal dose of defamation

Liberals get into the defamation act … Alan Jones and 2GB sued by swim boss … 2SM settles after aborted trial … Former NSW copper sues The Daily Telegraph over shock horror corruption allegations … NSW Court of Appeal sends qualified privilege defence back to the Dizzo for re-trial ... more

 

Dossier    July 16, 2010

Judge rejects jury

More disturbing developments down at the Dizzo … Judge Leonard Levy dispenses with a defamation jury after granting his own application … Is this a bold new direction in defamation law? ... more

 

Dossier    July 12, 2010

Curiouser and curiouser…

Judge Judith Gibson resigns as Defamation List Judge … Judge Leonard Levy calls for submissions on why he shouldn’t empanel a jury … Media lawyers in a flap over an unwelcome new direction … What’s going on down at the Dizzo? ... more

 

Dossier    June 1, 2010

Bolkus tossed out

SA Supreme Court throws out Labor lobbyist Nick Bolkus’ defamation action against the ABC … Trials coming up for Aunty and The Daily Telegraph... Diplomat sues The Australian ... Bega mayor sues Franciscan sister ... more

 

Dossier    May 26, 2010

Courting suppression

The Australian all het up over banned child-killer story … The high cost of battling Captain Dragan … “Constable Wendy” sues over new Underbelly series … Perth barrister sues over true crime book … Health bureaucrat sues Alan Jones … Fairfax settles child sex defamation case … Alan Bond accuses The West Australian of destroying records ... more