Born Brands Pty Limited & Ors v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd & Ors [2011] NSWSC 642

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Born Brands Pty Limited & Ors v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd & Ors [2011] NSWSC 642 Hearing dates: 16 June 2011 Decision date: 27 June 2011 Before: McCallum J Decision: Each of the imputations relied upon by the plaintiffs may go to the jury. Plaintiffs to provide further and better particulars of malice within fourteen days. Catchwords: DEFAMATION - capacity of matter complained of to convey imputations relied upon by plaintiffs

INJURIOUS FALSEHOOD - whether element of malice to be judged by same criteria as for defence of qualified privilege under the law of defamation - whether plaintiff required to identify the improper purpose alleged - whether allegation of gross recklessness capable of founding inference of malice - whether particulars supplied by plaintiff adequate Cases Cited: Adam v Ward [1917] AC 309 AMI Australia Holdings Pty Ltd v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 1395 Australand Holdings Ltd v Transparency and Accountability Council Incorporated [2008] NSWSC 669 Bass v TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd [2003] NSWCA 118; (2003) 60 NSWLR 251 Beechwood Homes (NSW) Pty Ltd v Camenzuli [2010] NSWSC 521 Chesterton v Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 982 Dougherty v Chandler (1946) 46 SR (NSW) 370 Egger v Viscount Chelmsford [1965] 1 QB 248 (CA). Gacic v John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 1210. Gross v Weston [2007] NSWCA 1; (2007) 69 NSWLR 279 Harrigan v Jones [2000] NSWSC 814 Palmer Bruyn & Parker Pty Ltd v Parsons [2001] HCA 69; (2001) 208 CLR 388 Roberts v Bass [2002] HCA 57; (2002) 212 CLR 1 Webb v Block (1928) 41 CLR 331 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Born Brands Pty Ltd (first plaintiff) Hayley Birtles-Eades (second plaintiff) Sally Birtles (third defendant) Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd (first defendant) Gabriella Rogers (second defendant) Georgie Gardner (third defendant) Representation: Counsel R Rasmussen (for the plaintiffs) S Dawson (for the defendants) Solicitors Beazley Singleton Lawyers (for the plaintiffs) Johnson Winter & Slattery (for the defendants) File Number(s): 2011/115199 Publication restriction: None