Category Archives: Trial

Lying defamation defendant shot down by Sporting Shooters – $887,027.66 in damages: Moroney v Zegers [2018] VSC 448

Posted on August 20, 2018 by

For a short time in 2012, Karel Zegers was the Acting President of the Victorian branch of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAAV).  His position on the Board was up for election in August that year and he decided … Continue reading →

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Politician not so pushy – Sophie Mirabella wins $175,000: Mirabella v Price & Benalla Newspapers Pty Ltd [2018] VCC 650

Posted on August 15, 2018 by

Sophie Mirabella was the Member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Indi in rural Victoria from 2001 to 2013. In 2015, the Liberal Party pre-selected her once again to run in the 2016 election. Her opponent was … Continue reading →

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Channel Nine’s “disgraceful” story – $300,000 damages: Pahjua v TCN Channel Nine PL [2018] NSWSC 893

Posted on August 8, 2018 by

Sunil Pahuja migrated to Australia at 27, did a Masters in accounting and developed a business installing solar panels. He knew many people in the Indian community and was to become the perfect example of a person who was in … Continue reading →

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Court of Appeal rules that Rebel Wilson’s damages not special: Bauer Media Pty Ltd v Wilson [2018] VSCA 154

Posted on July 24, 2018 by

The Victorian Court of Appeal has ruled that Rebel Wilson’s $4.5 million record damages verdict is no longer the record, rejecting her claim for special damages and cutting the figure down to $600,000. While this was a big win for … Continue reading →

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Rebel Wilson’s Perfect Defamation Record: Wilson v Bauer Media Pty Ltd & Anor [2017] VSC 521

Posted on September 14, 2017 by

Rebel Wilson, Hollywood starlet and Australian heroine has added another chapter to her success, this time in real life Australian court. Her defamation victory is by far the largest victory in the history of Australian defamation law, and her lesson … Continue reading →

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Tweed Shire Mayor gets revenge threefold – Milne v Ell [2017] NSWSC 555

Posted on May 16, 2017 by

Property developer, William Robert Ell sued Tweed Shire Councillor, Katie Milne in defamation in 2014. He sued over a letter to the editor which Ms Milne had written about a contentious building development conducted by Mr Ell. While Mr Ell … Continue reading →

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Strip club owner is no brothel madam: Hardie v Herald & Weekly Times [2016] VSCA 103

Posted on May 23, 2016 by

The plaintiff, Ms Raelene Hardie, was a part owner and manager of a strip club in rural Victoria called “Club Rawhide”. On 16 May 2013, the Herald Sun ran an article written by Andrew Rule, a journalist, on its front … Continue reading →

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Barrister’s internet defamation: He fought the law and the law won: Dods v McDonald [2016] VSC 201

Posted on May 10, 2016 by

During the evening of 11 December 2008, Tyler Cassidy, a 15 year old boy had stolen two large knives from Kmart at Northcote Plaza Shopping Centre, near All Nations Park. He moved through the shopping centre, its shops and car … Continue reading →

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Dank v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 295. Number of days in Stephen Dank’s defamation trial – 20. Judgment Awarded – Priceless

Posted on March 30, 2016 by

Since 2013, the Australian sporting landscape has been dominated, not by any particularly amazing footballer, cricketer or athlete. No, it has been dominated by Stephen Dank – “sports scientist”. He is the man responsible for bringing into the Australian conscience … Continue reading →

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Artists’ appeal upheld, record verdict set aside and re-trial ordered: Vakras v Cripps [2015] VSCA 193

Posted on August 3, 2015 by

In 2014, a gallery owner, Raymond Cripps was awarded a record $420,000 defamation verdict in the Victorian Supreme Court. The verdict was made by His Honour Justice Kyrou against two surrealist artists, Demetrios Vakras and Lee-Anne Raymond. They held an … Continue reading →

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