Morten Christiansen v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd & Ors [2012] NSWSC 1258

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Morten Christiansen v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd & Ors [2012] NSWSC 1258 Hearing dates: 02.10.12, 03.10.12 Decision date: 19 October 2012 Before: Nicholas J Decision: Par 38 Catchwords: DEFAMATION - imputations - capacity of matters complained of to convey pleaded imputations - reference to plaintiff - class or group libel - assertion that one member responsible for conduct - no material identifying member responsible - whether defamatory imputations - nature of imputations and when available Legislation Cited: Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Drummoyne Municipal Council v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1990) 21 NSWLR 135 Favell v Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd [2005] HCA 52; (2005) 221 ALR 186 Harbour Radio Pty Ltd v Trad [2012] HCA 44 Harvey v John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 255 Lewis v Daily Telegraph Ltd [1964] AC 234 Malcolm v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 254; [2007] Aust Torts Reports 81-915 McCormick v John Fairfax & Sons Ltd (1989) 16 NSWLR 485 Mirror Newspapers Ltd v Harrison [1982] HCA 50; (1982) 149 CLR 293 Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd v Chesterton [2009] HCA 16; (2009) 238 CLR 460 Robbie Waterhouse v The Age Company Ltd [2011] NSWSC 159 Sergi v Australian Broadcasting Commission [1983] 2 NSWLR 669 Texts Cited: Professor Brown: "The Law of Defamation in Canada" 2nd Ed "A Code of Defamation" 2nd Ed (1923) Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Morten Christiansen - plaintiff Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd - first defendant Fairfax Digital Australia & New Zealand Pty Ltd - second defendant Matthew Moore - third defendant Representation: Counsel: K P Smark SC - plaintiff M A Polden - defendants Solicitors: Kalantzis Lawyers - plaintiff Johnson Winter & Slattery - defendants File Number(s): 12/266050