Section 102 of the Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) confers a right of appeal from a jury verdict in s 7A defamation proceedings independently of s 101, so leave to appeal is not required even where the verdict is interlocutory. The concept of 'mere vulgar abuse' does not create a separate defence or dichotomy; the question remains whether the imputation conveyed by the words is likely to injure reputation. An imputation that is indefinite and imparticular — never reaching clarity about the conduct alleged — may not be defamatory because reasonable people could conclude it would not harm reputation.
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