Murphy v Nationwide News [2000] NSWSC 1251
The jury found that both alleged imputations were conveyed by the article to the ordinary reasonable reader and that both imputations were defamatory. This conclusion was reached unanimously following the court's directions and after considering arguments from both parties.
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Christopher Murphy; Defendant: Nationwide News Pty Limited
- Jurisdiction
- Australia
- Judgment Date
- 17 February 2000
- Procedural Posture
- Defamation / Jury Verdict, Summing Up, Directions and Answering of Special Questions
- Outcome
- Jury verdict for the plaintiff on all questions. Costs reserved.
- Legal Topics
- Imputation, Standard of Proof, Jury Questions, Meaning of Defamatory, Role of Ordinary Reasonable Reader
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Christopher Murphy
Plaintiff
Nationwide News Pty Limited
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Defamation / Jury Verdict, Summing Up, Directions and Answering of Special Questions
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the article published by the defendant conveyed certain defamatory imputations about the plaintiff to the ordinary reasonable reader
- 2 Whether such imputations, if conveyed, were defamatory of the plaintiff
Ratio Decidendi
The jury found that both alleged imputations were conveyed by the article to the ordinary reasonable reader and that both imputations were defamatory. This conclusion was reached unanimously following the court's directions and after considering arguments from both parties.
Court Disposition
Jury verdict for the plaintiff on all questions. Costs reserved.
Orders
- The matter to be placed in the defamation list on 3 March 2000.
- Costs of the separate trial reserved.
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