Bauer lodges papers to appeal Rebel Wilson payout

Bauer Media has lodged its application with the Victorian Court of Appeal to appeal the record $4.56 million defamation payout awarded to Rebel Wilson.

The magazine publisher argues that the record damages awarded were “manifestly excessive.”

“In consequence of the errors made by the trial judge, judgement was given against the applicants in the amount of $4,749,920.60, including damages in the nature of interest in the sum of $182,448.61, and the applicants have thereby suffered a substantial injustice,” said Bauer in its document.

It also argues the judge erred in finding the publication of the articles was the cause of Wilson’s “lost opportunity” along with its value.

“The trial judge erred … in finding that the plaintiff had established, on the balance of probabilities, the loss of an opportunity to earn USD $15 million from being cast in lead or co-lead roles in three feature films during the period from mid-2015 to the end of 2016.”

Rebel Wilson, who is understood to have already been paid the figure, recently indicated she was disappointed but not surprised by an appeal.

“Nevertheless if this is a chance to expose more of their disgraceful practices & present more evidence on damages, I welcome it,” she tweeted.

Fairfax reports if the leave is successful, the case is expected to go before the courts next year. ​