Richard James Talbot v Nationwide News Pty Limited [2006] NSWDC 59

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Richard James Talbot v Nationwide News Pty Limited [2006] NSWDC 59

HEARING DATE(S): 5-9, 13-16, 22 June, 21 July 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 19 October 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Gibson DCJ

DECISION: (1)Judgment for the plaintiff for $200,000; (2)Defendant pay plaintiff's costs; (3)Parties to bring in Short Minutes of Order reflecting any agreed figure for interest on the damages; (4)Liberty to apply concerning interest and costs; (5)Exhibits retained for 28 days

CATCHWORDS: Tort - Defamation - Whether imputations fact or comment - whether imputations based on proper material for comment - damages - aggravated compensatory damages.

Criminal Code (WA); Defamation Act 1974 (NSW); LEGISLATION CITED: Defamation Act 1889 (Qld); Defamation Act 1957 (Tas); Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth).

Austin v Mirror Newspapers Limited [1986] AC 299; Bishop Mar Meelas Zaia v Chibo [2005] NSWSC 917; Carson v John Fairfax & Sons Ltd (1992-3) 178 CLR 44; Cassell & Co Ltd v Broome [1972] AC 1027; Crampton v Nugawela (1996) 41 NSWLR 176; Fraser & Talbot v NRMA (1994); Gannon v Gannon (1971) 125 CLR 629; Goldsborough v John Fairfax & Sons (1934) 34 SR (NSW) 524; CASES CITED: Herald & Weekly Times Ltd v Popovic (2003) 9 VR 1; John Fairfax Publications Pty Limited v O'Shane [2005] NSWCA 164; McMullan v TCN Channel 9 [2000] NSWSC 925; Pervan v North Queensland Newspapers (1993) 178 CLR 309; Radio 2UE Pty Limited v Parker (1992) 29 NSWLR 448; Robinson v Laws [2003] 1 Qd R 81; Rogers v Nationwide News Pty Limited (2003) 216 CLR 327; Sutcliffe v Pressdram Ltd [1991] 1 QB 153; State of NSW v Riley (2002-2003) 57 NSWLR 496;