Cummings v Fairfax Digital Australia & New Zealand Pty Limited; Cummings v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited [2017] NSWSC 657

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Cummings v Fairfax Digital Australia & New Zealand Pty Limited; Cummings v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited [2017] NSWSC 657 Hearing dates: 11 – 14, 29 July 2016 Date of orders: 27 July 2016 Decision date: 26 May 2017 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Rothman J Decision: In relation to proceedings number 2014/359030:

(1) Judgment for the defendants against Anthony Cummings Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd;

(2) Judgment for the defendants against Mr Anthony Cummings;

In relation to proceedings number 2014/364976:

(3) Judgment for the plaintiff Mr Anthony Cummings in relation to the first matter complained of in those proceedings, being the Poster "CUMMINGS FIGHTING CRUELTY CLAIMS", published by the defendants herein on 25 February 2010;

(4) Otherwise, judgment for the defendants against the plaintiff;

(5) Damages reserved and to be heard on a date to be fixed;

In relation to both proceedings:

(6) Costs reserved and to be resolved after the conclusion of the damages proceedings. Catchwords: DEFAMATION – five articles being publications relating to pleadings in contract alleging breach of duty and cruelty – standing of corporation to sue accepted – s 28 Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) – pleadings public documents – fair summary, except Poster – liability of defendants for damages arising from Poster – damages to be assessed Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-Vesting) Act 1987 (NSW) The National Debt Act 1870 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Abbott v Coombs (1887) 13 VLR 917; [1887] VLR 160 Amalgamated Television Services v Marsden (1998) 43 NSWLR158; [1998] NSWSC 4 Anderson v Nationwide News Pty Ltd (1970) 72 SR (NSW) 313 Bellino v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1996) 185 CLR 183 at 217; [1996] HCA 47 Biga Nominees Pty Ltd v Commission of Taxation (Cth) (1991) 104 FLR 74 Born Brands Pty Ltd v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd (2014) 88 NSWLR 421; [2014] NSWCA 369 Chakravarti v Advertiser Newspaper Limited (1998) 193 CLR 519; [1998] HCA 37 Channel Seven Sydney Pty Ltd v Parras & Ors (2002) Aust Torts Reports 81-675; [2002] NSWCA 202 Crisp v Fairfax Media Ltd & Ors (2012) 38 VR 544; [2012] VSC 615 Curistan v Times Newspapers Limited (2008) All ER (D) 417; [2008] EWCA Civ 432 David Syme & Co v Canavan (1918) 25 CLR 234; [1918] HCA 50 D'Orta-Ekenaike v Victorian Legal Aid (2005) 223 CLR 1; [2005] HCA 12 John Fairfax & Sons Ltd v Police Tribunal of New South Wales (1986) 5 NSWLR 465 John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd v Rivkin (2003) 201 ALR 77; [2003] HCA 50 Lee v Evans (1964) 112 CLR 276; [1964] HCA 65 Lewis v Daily Telegraph Ltd [1964] AC 234 Llewellyn v Nine Network Australia Pty Limited (2006) 154 FCR 293; [2006] FCA 836 Macquarie Radio Network Pty Ltd v Arthur Dent [2007] NSWCA 261 Milne v Ell [2017] NSWSC 555 Mirror Newspapers Ltd v Harrison (1982) 149 CLR 293; [1982] HCA 50 Morgan v Odhams Press Ltd [1971] 1 WLR 1239; [1971] 2 All ER 1156 Nash v Lynde [1929] AC 158 Re Australasian Performing Right Association Limited v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1992) 40 FCR 59; [1992] FCA 609 Rogers v Nationwide News (2003) 216 CLR 327; [2003] HCA 52 R v Denbigh Justices, Ex parte Williams; R v Denbigh Justices; Ex parte Evans [1974] 1 QB 759 Searles v Scarlett [1892] 2 QB 56 Speight v Gosnay (1891) 60 LJQB 231 Thom v Associated Newspapers Limited (1964) 64 SR (NSW) 376 Webb v Bloch (1928) 41 CLR 331; [1928] HCA 50 Whitney v Moignard (1890) 24 QBD 630 Williams v Smith & Greenwood (1888) 22 QBD 134 Category: Principal judgment Parties: 2014/00359030: Anthony Cummings (First Plaintiff) Anthony Cummings Thoroughbreds Pty Limited (Second Plaintiff) Fairfax Digital Australia & New Zealand Pty Limited (First Defendant) The Age Company Limited (Second Defendant)