Depp II v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Anor

Depp II v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Anor

Relief from sanctions was granted for late service of witness statements as the breach was neither serious nor significant, and no prejudice was caused due to trial adjournment. Permission to adduce Mr Killackey's evidence was refused due to marginal relevance; permission to adduce parts of Ms James' evidence was...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Claimant: John Christopher Depp II; Defendant: News Group Newspapers Ltd.; Defendant: Dan Wootton
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 May 2020
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Pre Trial Directions Hearing
Outcome
Relief from sanctions granted for late service of witness statements; permission to call Ms James granted in part; permission to call Mr Killackey refused.
Legal Topics
Relief From Sanctions, Admission of Evidence, Witness Statements, Relevance and Proportionality
Defamation Civil Procedure Relief From Sanctions Admission of Evidence Witness Statements Relevance and Proportionality

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

John Christopher Depp II

Claimant

News Group Newspapers Ltd.

Defendant

Dan Wootton

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Pre Trial Directions Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Claimant should be granted relief from sanctions for late service of witness statements
  2. 2 Whether the Claimant should be permitted to rely on and call certain witnesses to give evidence
  3. 3 Relevance and admissibility of specific witness evidence

Ratio Decidendi

Relief from sanctions was granted for late service of witness statements as the breach was neither serious nor significant, and no prejudice was caused due to trial adjournment. Permission to adduce Mr Killackey's evidence was refused due to marginal relevance; permission to adduce parts of Ms James' evidence was granted where relevant and proportionate, with other parts excluded.

Court Disposition

Relief from sanctions granted for late service of witness statements; permission to call Ms James granted in part; permission to call Mr Killackey refused.

Orders

  • Claimant granted relief from sanctions for late service of witness statements of Ms James, Mr Killackey, Ms Paradis, and Ms Ryder.
  • Claimant refused permission to call Mr Killackey.