DEFAMATION - trial by judge alone on all issues - publication of emails - imputations of sexual harassment and conduct warranting complaints of unwanted sexual advances - limited number of recipients - each recipient had knowledge and a close association with events concerned in publication
DEFAMATION - defences - substantial truth - meaning of "sexual harassment" - whether conduct properly characterised as sexual harassment - whether conduct warranted complaints of unwanted sexual advances - contextual truth - s 26 Defamation Act 2005 - pleading back - imputations pleaded on behalf of plaintiff significantly more serious
DEFAMATION - defence of honest opinion - s 31 Defamation Act 2005 - defence fails - clear statement of facts - not a matter of public interest
DEFAMATION - common law qualified privilege - statements made in pursuance of duty or interest - proper identification of subject matter - approach to determining extent of interest - incidental recipients - reciprocity - "pressing need" test not applied - s 30 Defamation Act 2005 - reasonableness of conduct - plea of malice - whether privileged occasion used for improper purpose
Case Details
Citation[2011] NSWSC 123
CourtNSWSC
JurisdictionNew South Wales
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