12 Apr 2017
WILLIAMS v CRAIG [2017] NZHC 724
- Citation
- [2017] 3 NZLR 215
- Court
- High Court
The jury's verdicts were set aside and a retrial ordered because the compensatory and punitive damages award of NZD 1,270,000 was well outside the range that could reasonably be justified in all the circumstances (including proven truths, context of defendant replying to an attack, and double counting); however the Court found there was sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to conclude the defendant had lost qualified privilege, so entering judgment for defendant was inappropriate; parties may instead consent to a substituted damages award under s33 Defamation Act 1992.