Robert Hughes v. Seven Network Ltd and Another [2000] NSWSC 499

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Robert Hughes v. Seven Network Ltd and Another [2000] NSWSC 499 FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 20153/98 HEARING DATE(S) : 5 June 2000 JUDGMENT DATE : 7 June 2000

Robert Hughes PARTIES : Seven Network Limited Amalgamated Television Services Pty Limited JUDGMENT OF : Bell J at 1

COUNSEL : Plaintiff - Mr C. Evatt Defendants - Mr T. Blackburn SOLICITORS : Plaintiff - Teakle Ormsby Conn Defendants - Mallesons Stephen Jaques CATCHWORDS : DEFAMATION - Imputations - Application for leave to amend pleadings LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court Rules 1970 CASES CITED : Whelan v John Fairfax & Sons Ltd (1988) 12 NSWLR 148 DECISION : 1. The plaintiff is to provide discovery of all documents in support of his claim for economic loss including but not limited to all income tax returns (both personal and in relation to the plaintiff's business or businesses and any other source of income the plaintiff had), bank account statements, wage slips, deposit books, accounting and business records, records of expenses, financial plans, profit and loss statements and balance sheets for the period 1 January 1988 to 5 June 2000 by 5.00pm Friday 9 June 2000; 2. The plaintiff is to file a Third Further Amended Statement of Claim in accordance with these reasons by 5.00pm Thursday 8 June 2000; 3. Leave is granted to plead imputations 3(i)(a); 3(ix)(a); 3(xii); and 3(xiv) in the proposed Third Amended Statement of Claim; 4. Leave is not granted to plead imputations 3(ii), 3(iv) and 3(xiii) in the proposed Third Amended Statement of Claim; 5. Leave is not granted to plead imputation 3(xi) in the form it appears in the proposed Third Amended Statement of Claim but I grant leave to replead this imputation.