Marsden v Amalgamated Television Services Pty Ltd

[2001] NSWSC 510

CITATION:

Marsden v Amalgamated Television Services Pty Ltd [2001] NSWSC 510

CURRENT JURISDICTION:

Common Law

FILE NUMBER(S):

SC 20223 of 1995; 20592 of 1996

HEARING DATE(S):

Interlocutory Hearings; 1 February 1999; 3 February 1999; 4 February 1999; 9 February 1999; 10 February 1999; 11 February 1999; 12 February 1999; 15 February 1999; 16 February 1999; 17 February 1999; 18 February 1999; 19 February 1999; Jury - Trial; 22 February 1999; 23 February 1999; 24 February 1999; 25 February 1999; ; Interlocutory Hearings; 26 February 1999; 1 March 1999; 2 March 1999; 3 March 1999; 4 March 1999; 8 March 1999; 9 March 1999; 12 March 1999; 15 March 1999; 18 March 1999; 19 March 1999; 22 March 1999; 23 March 1999; 24 March 1999; 25 March 1999; March 1999; 29 March 1999; 30 March 1999; 31 March 1999; 12 April 1999; 13 April 1999; 14 April 1999; 15 April 1999; 16 April 1999; 19 April 1999; 20 April 1999; 21 April 1999; 23 April 1999; 27 April 1999; 28 April 1999; 29 April 1999; 3 May 1999; 4 May 1999; 7 May 1999; 10 May 1999; 14 May 1999; 17 May 1999; 18 May 1999; 19 May 1999; 24 May 1999; 25 May 1999; 26 May 1999; 27 May 1999; 28 May 1999; 31 May 1999; 1 June 1999; 23 June 1999; 25 June 1999; 28 June 1999 (Grafton); 2 August 1999; 13 August 1999; 19 August 1999; 18 October 1999; 20 October 1999; 22 October 1999; 25 October 1999; 26 October 1999; 28 October 1999; 29 October 1999; 2 November 1999; 4 November 1999; 9 November 1999; 12 November 1999.; Trial; 15 November 1999; 16 November 1999; 17 November 1999; 18 November 1999; 22 November 1999; 23 November 1999; 24 November 1999; 25 November 1999; 26 November 1999; 29 November 1999; 30 November 1999; 1 December 1999; 2 December 1999; 6 December 1999; 7 December 1999; 8 December 1999; 9 December 1999; 13 December 1999; 14 December 1999; 15 December 1999; 16 December 1999; 17 December 1999; 31 January 2000; 1 February 2000; 2 February 2000; 3 February 2000; 7 February 2000; 8 February 2000; 9 February 2000; 10 February 2000; 11 February 2000; 14 February 2000; 15 February 2000; 16 February 2000; 18 February 2000; 21 February 2000; 22 February 2000; 23 February 2000; 24 February 2000; 25 February 2000; 28 February 2000; 29 February 2000; 1 March 2000; 2 March 2000; 3 March 2000; 6 March 2000; 7 March 2000; 8 March 2000; 9 March 2000; 10 March 2000; 13 March 2000; 14 March 2000; 15 March 2000; 16 March 2000; 20 March 2000; 21 March 2000; 22 March 2000; 23 March 2000; 24 March 2000; 27 March 2000; 28 March 2000; 29 March 2000; 30 March 2000; 31 March 2000; 3 April 2000; 4 April 2000; 5 April 2000; 6 April 2000; 7 April 2000; 10 April 2000; 11 April 2000; 12 April 2000; 13 April 2000; 14 April 2000; 1 May 2000; 2 May 2000; 3 May 2000; 4 May 2000; 5 May 2000; 8 May 2000; 9 May 2000; 10 May 2000; 12 May 2000; 15 May 2000; 16 May 2000; 17 May 2000; 18 May 2000; 19 May 2000; 22 May 2000; 23 May 2000; 24 May 2000; 25 May 2000; 26 May 2000; 29 May 2000; 30 May 2000; 31 May 2000; 1 June 2000; 2 June 2000; 5 June 2000; 6 June 2000; 7 June 2000; 8 June 2000; 9 June 2000; 13 June 2000; 14 June 2000; 15 June 2000; 16 June 2000; 19 June 2000; 20 June 2000; 21 June 2000; 22 June 2000; 23 June 2000; 26 June 2000; 27 June 2000; 28 June 2000; 29 June 2000; 3 July 2000; 4 July 2000; 5 July 2000; 6 July 2000; 7 July 2000; 10 July 2000; 11 July 2000; 12 July 2000; 14 July 2000; 17 July 2000; 18 July 2000; 19 July 2000; 21 July 2000; 25 July 2000; 28 July 2000; 22 August 2000; 12 October 2000; 30 October 2000; 31 October 2000; 1 November 2000; 2 November 2000; 3 November 2000; 6 November 2000; 7 November 2000; 8 November 2000; 9 November 2000; 10 November 2000; 13 November 2000; 14 November 2000; 15 November 2000; 16 November 2000; 17 November 2000; 20 November 2000; 21 November 2000

JUDGMENT DATE:

27 June 2001

PARTIES :

JOHN ROBERT MARSDEN
(Plaintiff)

v

AMALGAMATED TELEVISION SERVICES PTY LIMITED
(Defendant)

JUDGMENT OF:

Levine J

COUNSEL :

At Trial

I Barker Q.C.
P Donohoe Q.C.
G O’L Reynolds S.C.
R G McHugh
M Hall
(Plaintiff)

W H Nicholas Q.C.
R Stitt Q.C.
J S Wheelhouse
R Titterton
(Defendant)

Counsel who also Appeared

Plaintiff
B McClintock S.C.
G O’L Reynolds S.C.
J C Gibson
R G McHugh
E A White

Defendant
J Sackar Q.C.
L McCallum
J Somerville
S Henderson

Third Parties
M Pembroke S.C.
P A Johnson S.C.
G Bartley
P I Lakatos
W Muddle
J Clyne

SOLICITORS:

Phillips Fox
(Plaintiff)

Malleson Stephen Jaques
(Defendant)

Others Parties
Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Plaintiff)
Dylan McKimmie
Eddy & Moloney
Fallon Safetly Lawyers
McCabes
T O’Gorman
Police Integrity Commission
Police Service of NSW / Commissioner of Police
State Crown Solicitor’s Office
Supreme Court of NSW - CEO & Principal Registrar

CATCHWORDS:

DEFAMATION - Trial of action - s 7A of Defamation Act 1974 - jury component - judge component - defence of justification - defence of qualified privilege - Defamation Act 1974 ss 15, 16 & 22 - cognate defences of truth, qualified protection in other States & Territories - damages - Defamation Act 1974 ss 46, 46A & 48 - claim for damages for psychiatric injury - aggravated damages - claim for exemplary damages

LEGISLATION CITED:

Defamation Act 1974
Evidence Act 1995
Listening Devices Act 1984
Police Integrity Commission Act 1996
Supreme Court Act 1970
Supreme Court Rules

CASES CITED:

Abadom v Abadom (1857) 24 Beav 243
ABC v Comalco (1986) 68 ALR 259
ACP v Ettingshausen (Court of Appeal, 13 October 1993, unreported)
Adam v Ward [1917] AC 309
Alexander v The Queen (1981) 145 CLR 395
Amalgamated Television Services Pty Limited v Marsden (1998) 43 NSWLR 158
Andrews v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Limited (1990) 2 NSWLR 225
Apand Pty Limited v The Kettle Chip Co. (1994) 52 FCR 474
Armstrong v Strain [1952] 1 KB 232; [1952] 1 All ER 139 (CA)
Austin v Mirror Newspapers Ltd (1985) 3 NSWLR 354
Australian Consolidated Press v Uren [1969] 1 AC 590
Australian Broadcasting Commission v Comalco (1986) 68 ALR 259
Australian Consolidated Press v Uren (1966) 117 CLR 185
B v Medical Superintendent of Macquarie Hospital (1987) 10 NSWLR 440
Baden v Société Générale pour Favoriser le Développement du Commerce et de l'Industrie en France SA (1983) [1992] 4 All ER 161; [1983] BCLC 325
Barbaro v Amalgamated Television Services Limited (1989) 20 NSWLR 493
Barbaro v Amalgamated Television Services Pty Limited (1985) 1 NSWLR 30
Bellino v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1995-1996) 185 CLR 183
Bennett v Minister for Community Welfare (1992) 176 CLR 408
Bickel v John Fairfax & Sons Limited (1981) 2 NSWLR 474
Bondin v Lamaro (Court of Appeal, 14 October 1994, unreported)
Bowen-Rowlands v Argus Press Limited (The Times, 10 February 1926, p.5 and 26 March 1926, p.5).
Bradshaw v McEwans Pty Limited (27 April 1951)
Brandi v Mingot (1976) 12 ALR 551
Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336
Broome v Cassell & Co [1972] AC 1027
Brown v Citizens Life Assurance Co (1902) 2 NSWR 212
BRS v The Queen (1997) 191 CLR 275
Bugg v Day (1949) 79 CLR 442
Caldwell v Caldwell (NSW Court of Appeal, unreported, 30 August 1996)
Calwell v IPEC Australia Limited (1975) 135 CLR 321
Cane v R [1968] NZLR 787
Carson v John Fairfax & Sons Limited (1993) 178 CLR 44
Chamberlain v The Queen [No. 2] (1984) 153 CLR 521
Chappell v Mirror Newspapers (1984) Aust Torts Reports 80-691
Clark v Ainsworth (1996) 40 NSWLR 463
Clark v Molyneux [1877] 3 QBD 237
Clark v Ryan (1960) 103 CLR 486
Clark v Taylor (1836) 3 Scott 95
Commissioner for Railways v Small (1938) 38 SR 564
Costello & Ors v Random House Australia Pty Ltd (1999) 137 ACTR 1
Cotogno v Lamb (No 3) (1986) 5 NSWLR 559
Coyne v Citizen Finance Limited (1990-1991) 172 CLR 211
Craig v The King (1933) 49 CLR 429
Crampton v Nugawela (1996) 41 NSWLR 176
Crampton v Nugawela (1996) 41 NSWLR 176
Dare v Pulham (1982) 44 ALR 117
David Syme & Co Limited v Hore-Lacy [2000] 1 VR 667
Davies & Cody v The King (1937) 57 CLR 1;
Derry v Peek (1889) 14 App Cas 337
Dickson v Wilton [1859] 1 F. & E. 419
Domican v The Queen (1991-1992) 173 CLR 555
Doney v The Queen (1990) 171 CLR 207
Drummoyne Municipal Council v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1990) 21 NSWLR 135
Dwyer v Esmonde (1877) Ir R 11 CL 542
Edwards v Bell (1824) 1 Bing 403
Edwards v The Queen (1993) 178 CLR 193
Equiticorp Finance Ltd (In liq) v Bank of New Zealand (1993) 32 NSWLR 50
Ex-parte Lenehan (1948) 77 CLR 403
Falcke v The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd [1925] VLR 56
Farrel v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 286
Feros v West Sydney Radio (Court of Appeal, unreported, 22 June 1982)
Ghazal v Government Insurance of NSW (1992) 29 NSWLR 336
Giorgianni v R (1985) 156 CLR 473 at 504–7; 58 ALR 641
Gray v Motor Accident Commission (1998) 196 CLR 1; 158 ALR 485; 73 ALJR 45
Grobbelaar v News Group Newspapers Limited & Anor (unreported, 18 January 2001)
Hall-Gibbs Mercantile Agency v Dunn (1910) 12 CLR 84
Hanrahan v Ainsworth (1990) 22 NSWLR 73
Hansen v Border Morning Mail Pty Limited [1987] 9 NSWLR 44
Harmony Shipping Co. SA v Davis & Ors (1979) 3 All ER 177
Hepburn v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited [1983] 2 NSWLR 682
Hepburn v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited [1984] 1 NSWLR 386
Herald and Weekly Times Ltd v McGregor (1928) 41 CLR 254
HG v The Queen (1999) 73 ALJR 281
Horrocks v Lowe [1935] AC 135
Hughes v Mirror Newspapers (1985) 3 NSWLR 504
Hughes v Mirror Newspapers Limited (1985) 3 NSWLR 504
In Re Davis (1947) 75 CLR 409
In re Dellow’s Will Trusts [1964] 1 WLR 451
In re H. and Others (Minors) [1996] AC 563
John Fairfax & Sons Limited v Kelly (1987) 8 NSWLR 131
John Fairfax & Sons v Kelly (1987) 8 NSWLR 131
John v MGN [1997] QB 586
Johns v The Law Society of New South Wales [1982] 2 NSWLR 1
Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298
Jones v TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd (1992) 26 NSWLR 732
Justin v Associated Newspapers Limited (1966) 86 WN (Pt 1) 17; [1967] 1 NSWR 61
King & Mergen Holdings Pty Ltd v McKenzie (1991) 24 NSWLR 305
Kural v R (1987) 162 CLR 502; 70 ALR 658
Lamb v Cotogno (1987) 164 CLR 1
Lane v The Queen (1996) 66 FCR 144
Lange v Atkinson [2000] NZCA 9
Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1997) 189 CLR 520
Lee v The Queen (1998) 195 CLR 594
Ley v Hamilton 153 LT 384
Liquor Marketing Group v Sadler [2000] NSWCA 161
London Computer Operators Training Limited & Ors v British Broadcasting Corporation & Ors (1973) 1 WLR 424
Longman v The Queen (1989) 168 CLR 79
Loveday v Sun Newspapers Limited (1938) 59 CLR 503
Maloney v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) (1978) 52 ALJR 292
Manson v Associated Newspapers [1965] 1 WLR 1038
March v E & M H Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506
McCarey v Associated Newspaper [1965] 2 QB 86
McKain v Miller & Co (SA) Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 1
McKenzie v Mergen Holdings Pty Ltd (1990) 22 NSWLR 73
McLean v Bell (1932) 147 LT 262
Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission (1995) 182 CLR 1
Merest v Harvey (1814) 5 Taunt 442
Meyer v Hall (1972) 26 DLR (3d) 309
Mirror Newspapers v Fitzpatrick [1984] 1 NSWLR 643
Monte v Mirror Newspapers Limited [1979] 2 NSWLR 663
Moran v Amoret Installations Pty Ltd (Court of Appeal, 12 April 2000, unreported)
Morgan v John Fairfax & Sons Limited (No.2) (1991) 23 NSWLR 374
Morgan v John Fairfax (1990) 20 NSWLR 511
Moriarty v London, Chatham & Dover Railway Co. (1870) LR 5 QB 314
Morosi v Mirror Newspapers Limited [1977] 2 NSWLR 749
Neat Holdings Pty Limited v Karajan Holdings Pty Limited (1992) 67 ALJR 170
NSW Aboriginal Land Council v Perkins (1998) 45 NSWLR 340
NSW County Press v Stewart (1911) 12 CLR 481
Packer v ABC (1993) 116 FLR 306
Palmer v The Queen (1998) 193 CLR 1
Paric v John Holland (Constructions) Pty Limited (1985) 59 ALJR 844
Payne v Parker (1976) 1 NSWLR 191
Peacock v The King (1911) 13 CLR 619
Pearce v Hailstone [1992] 58 SASR 240
Peisley v R (1990) CCA (NSW) 42
Petritsis v Hellenic Herald [1978] 2 NSWLR 174
Pfeiffer Pty Ltd v Rogerson [2000] HCA 36
Phillips v Eyre (1870) LR 6 QB 1
Pinniger v John Fairfax (1979) 53 ALJR 691
Planet Fisheries v La Rosa (1968) 119 CLR 118
Plumb v Australian Consolidate Press Limited (1975) 2 NSWLR 414
Pollitt v R (1992) 174 CLR 558
Qantas Airways Limited v SS Pharmaceutical Co Limited (NSW Court of Appeal, unreported, 20 July 1990; reported sub nom in SS Pharmaceutical Pty Limited v QantaAirways Limited (1991) 1 Lloyds Rep 288
Quick v Stolland Pty Limited (1998) 157 ALR 615
R v Baba [1977] 2 NSWLR 502
R v Baskerville (1916) 2 KB 658
R v Clough (1992) 28 NSWLR 396
R v Debelis (1984) 36 SASR 1
R v E (1996) 39 NSWLR 450
R v F (1995) 83 A Crim R 502
R v Field (1964) 48 Cr App R 335
R v Freeman (1985) 3 NSWLR 303
R v Galuzzo (1986) 23 A Crim R 211
R v Head & Head [1978] Crim LR 427
R v Henning (1994) 74 A Crim R 72
R v Kilbourne (1973) AC 729
R v McKenney (1983) 76 Crim App R 271
R v Skuse (NSW CCA, unreported, 24 October 1996)
R v Smith [2000] NSWCCA 468
R v Stretton (1988) Crim App R 7,
R v Stringer [2000] NSWCCA 293
R v Sweet-Escott (1971) 55 Cr App R 316
R v Taranto & Freeman [1999] NSWCCA 396
R v Turnbull [1977] QB 224
R v Uhrig (NSW CCA, unreported, 24 October 1996);
R v Welsh (1996) 90 A Crim R 364
Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Limited v Goldsworthy [2000] NSWCA 130
Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Limited v Parker (1992) 29 NSWLR 448
Ramsay v Watson (1961) 108 CLR 642
Randwick Labor Club Ltd v Amalgamated Television Services Pty Ltd [2000] NSWSC 906
Readers Digest Services Pty Limited v Lamb (1982) 150 CLR 500
Redmond v Uebergang (1984) 1 NSWLR 311
Reg v Heyde (1990) 20 NSWLR 234
Reg v Johnston (1998) 45 NSWLR 362
Reg v Pack [1999] NSWCCA 184 (30 June 1999)
Reg v Welsh (1996) 90 A Crim R
Regina v AGJ (NSW CCA, unreported, 30 October 1997)
Regina v Baartman [2000] NSWCCA 298
Regina v Flood [1999] NSWCCA 198
Regina v Lawson [2000] NSWCCA 214
Regina v Lewis (NSW CCA, unreported, 8 September 1998 (BC9804492))
Regina v Lucas [1981] QB 720
Regina v Paisley (1990) 54 A Crim R 42
Regina v Ward (1981) 3 A Crim R 171
Rejfek v McElroy (1965) 112 CLR 517
Rex v Watt (1905) 20 Cox CC 852
Reynolds v Nationwide News Pty Limited & Ors [2001] WASC 90
Reynolds v Times Newspapers Limited & Ors (1999) 3 WLR 1010
Riddick v Thames Bd Mills [1977] QB 881
Rigby v John Fairfax Group Pty Limited (Court of Appeal, unreported, 1 February 1996);
Rigby v Mirror Newspapers (1963) 64 SR (NSW) 34
Rofe v Smiths Newspaper Limited (1924) 25 SR(NSW) 4
Royal Aquarium and Summer and Winter Garden Society Pty Ltd v Parkinson [1892] 1 QB 431
Schellenberg v Tunnel Holdings Pty Limited (2000) 74 ALJR 743
Sengos v Boyle (Levine J, 10 July 1998, unreported)
Shepherd v The Queen (1990) 170 CLR 573
Sherman v Nymboida Collieries Pty Ltd (1963) 109 CLR 580
Simpson v Robinson (1948) 12 QB 511
Singleton v Ffrench [1986] 2 NSWLR 698
Smiths Newspapers Ltd v Becker (1932) 47 CLR 279
Spautz v Butterworth (1996) 41 NSWLR 1
Spill v Maule (1869) LR 4 Ex 232
Standen v South Essex Recorders Limited (1934) 50 TLR 365
Steele v Mirror Newspapers Limited [1974] 2 NSWLR 348
Steiner Wilson & Webster Pty Ltd v Amalgamated Television Services Pty Ltd [1999] ACTSC 123 (Abbey Bridal)
Stephens v West Australian Newspapers Limited (1994) 182 CLR 211
Stevens v Head (1993) 176 CLR 433
Sutherland v Stopes [1925] AC 47
Tarkanyi v Mirror Newspapers Limited [1983] 2 NSWLR 698
The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd v McGregor (1928) 41 CLR 254
The Queen v Demeter (1995) 77 A Crim R 462
Theophanous v Herald and Weekly Times (1994) 182 CLR 104
Thiess v TCN Channel Nine Pty Limited (No. 5) [1994] 1 Qd R. 156
Toomey v John Fairfax & Sons Limited (1985) 1 NSWLR 291
Toomey v Mirror Newspapers Ltd (1985) 1 NSWLR 173
Transport Industries Insurance Co. v Longmuir (1997) 1 VR 125
Tumahole Bereng v The Queen (1949) AC 25
Turner v Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Ltd [1950] 1 All ER 449
Uren v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd (1966) 117 CLR 118
Uren v John Fairfax (1996) 117 CLR 118
Vacik Distributors Pty Limited & Anor v Australian Broadcasting Corporation & Anor (No 8) [2000] NSWSC 732
Vacik Distributors Pty Ltd v ABC (Sperling J, 8 August 2000, unreported)
Vetrovec v R (1982) 136 DLR (3d) 89
Vignoli v Sydney Harbour Casino [2000] Aust Torts Reports _ 81-541
Waterhouse v Broadcasting Station 2GB Pty Ltd (1985) 1 NSWLR 58
Waterhouse v Broadcasting Station 2GB Pty Ltd (1985) 1 NSWLR 58
Watt v Longsdon [1930] 1 KB 130
Webb v Bloch (1928) 41 CLR 331
West v Government Insurance Officer of NSW (1981) 148 CLR 62
Whelan v John Fairfax & Sons Limited (1988) 12 NSWLR 148
Whitbread v R 91995) CCA (Vic) 452
Witness v Marsden & Another (2000) 49 NSWLR 429
Wright v ABC (1977) 1 NSWLR 697
XL Petroleum (NSW) Pty Ltd v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd (1985) 155 CLR 458

DECISION:

See paragraph 5276

Last Modified: 06/29/2001