News

High Court rejects Rebel Wilson’s defamation case appeal

Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson’s bid for her case to be heard in the High Court of Australia has not been granted. The decision effectively brings Wilson’s legal battle against Bauer Media to an end.

Wilson launched action against Bauer Media in May 2016, alleging she was defamed in several articles published in 2015. The actress argued the publisher’s ‘serial liar’ allegations had ruined her reputation and cost her lucrative movie roles.

Wilson was originally awarded $4.5m last September, but the case turned against the actress in June 2018 when the court slashed the damages awarded to $600,000 after the Court of Appeal found they had been wrongly awarded.

The actress was ordered to repay $4.1 million to Bauer, after the court ruled Wilson owed Bauer interest charges of $60,316.45, bringing the total to $4,183,071.45. She was also ordered to pay 80% of Bauer’s appeal costs.

Wilson had not disputed returning the damages to Bauer but had argued about the timing and calculation of interest payments.

On today’s High Court decision, Bauer Media’s general counsel Adrian Goss said: “Bauer Media is pleased that the High Court has chosen to bring an end to this matter.”

Bauer Media’s CEO, Paul Dykzeul, added: “Bauer Media is invested in its Australian business now more than ever. Here in Australia, we reach more women than any other publisher in market connecting with nine out of 10 women across the country.

“Bauer owns more magazine brands than any other publisher locally. Our audience trust our content and our writers, and they love our iconic brands like Woman’s Day and Australian Women’s Weekly.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.