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ARTICLE · 22 SEPTEMBER 2017

Four Million Dollar Price Tag To Fix An Actress's Reputational Damage

McCague Borlack LLP
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On September 13, 2017, Justice John Dixon of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia, awarded Ms. Rebel Wilson an unprecedented $4,567,472 (AUD) in damages...

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
McCague Borlack LLP
McCague Borlack LLP
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On September 13, 2017, Justice John Dixon of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia, awarded Ms. Rebel Wilson an unprecedented $4,567,472 (AUD) in damages for defamatory articles published by Bauer Media Pty Ltd. and Bauer Media Australia Pty Ltd.

Facts

Ms. Wilson, an Australian actress and star of several Hollywood movies, sued the defendants for defamation based on eight separate publications published over a three-day period. The publications labeled the plaintiff as a 'serial liar' who had 'fabricated almost every aspect of her life'. The articles were perfectly timed to coincide with the release of Ms. Wilson's successful film franchise. Ms. Wilson alleged that the conduct of the defendants resulted in her suffering financially, physically and psychologically. The libelous articles also allegedly caused her significant stress as the publications streamed into American entertainment and celebrity media and ultimately influenced industry officials and future

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