Doak v Birks [2022] NSWDC 625

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Doak v Birks [2022] NSWDC 625 Hearing dates: 12 December 2022 Date of orders: 12 December 2022 Decision date: 12 December 2022 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Gibson DCJ Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff for $283,358.79, made up as follows: (a) General damages of $200,000 plus interest in the sum of $6,831.23. (b) Aggravated damages of $50,000 plus interest in the sum of $1,707.81. (c) Special damages of $24,000 plus interest in the sum of $819.75. (2) Defendant pay plaintiff's costs, with liberty to apply. (3) Exhibits retained until further order. Catchwords: TORT - defamation - fifteen posts on Facebook accusing the plaintiff of recklessly endangering the lives of children in rodeo competitions - defendant files a submitting appearance and submits to the making of all orders sought except costs - whether imputations conveyed - whether serious harm established - claims for aggravated and special damages - judgment for the plaintiff for $283,358.79 Legislation Cited: Defamation Act 2013 (UK) c 26, s 1 Defamation Act 2005 (NSW), ss 10A, 34, 35 Cases Cited: Bauer Media Pty Ltd v Wilson (No 2) [2018] VSCA 154 Bazzi v Dutton [2022] FCAFC 84 Cerutti v Crestside Pty Ltd [2014] QCA 33 Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd v Dylan Voller; Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Dylan Voller; Australian News Channel Pty Ltd v Dylan Voller [2021] HCA 27; 95 ALJR 767; 392 ALR 540 French v Fraser (No 3) [2015] NSWSC 1807 Geyer v Ghosn [2020] NSWDC 744 Martin v Najem [2022] NSWDC 479 Massoud v Nationwide News Pty Ltd; Massoud v Fox Sports Australia Pty Ltd [2022] NSWCA 150 Rader v Haines [2022] NSWCA 198 Stocker v Stocker [2020] AC 593 Texts Cited: Council of Attorney-General Review of the Model Defamation Provisions – Background paper Category: Principal judgment Parties: Matthew Doak (plaintiff) Joshua Birks (defendant) Representation: Counsel: Plaintiff: Mr M Finch (solicitor) Defendant: No appearance