The Federal Capital Press of Australia Pty Ltd v Balzola [2015] NSWCA 285

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: The Federal Capital Press of Australia Pty Ltd v Balzola [2015] NSWCA 285 Hearing dates: 10 September 2015 Decision date: 22 September 2015 Before: Emmett JA, Sackville AJA Decision: 1. Leave to appeal refused. 2. Applicants to pay respondent's costs of the application for leave to appeal. Catchwords: DEFAMATION – primary judge granted leave for the plaintiff to amend statement of claim to plead back contextual imputations and subsequently defendants contextual imputations struck out - application for leave to appeal from interlocutory decision - whether application gives rise to an issue of principle or injustice if refused – application for leave to appeal refused Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 56 Defamation Act 2005 (NSW), ss 25, 26 Cases Cited: Balzola v Federal Capital Press of Australia Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 23 Balzola v Federal Capital Press of Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) (District Court, Gibson DCJ, 27 August 2015, unrep) Born Brands Pty Ltd v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 369 Dank v Cronulla Sutherland District Rugby League Football club Ltd [2014] NSWCA 288 Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited v Kermode [2011] NSWCA 174; 81 NSWLR 157 Category: Principal judgment Parties: The Federal Capital Press of Australia Pty Limited (First Applicant) Lisa Cox (Second Applicant) Robert Balzola (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr TD Blackburn SC / Ms L Barnett (Applicants) Mr R Rasmussen (Respondent)