Eleventh hour twist with 10’s “fresh evidence” in defamation case

Just days before a judgment is due to be delivered in the high profile defamation case between Bruce Lehrmann and Network 10 / Lisa Wilkinson, there is an eleventh hour twist.

Justice Michael Lee will now hear an application by Network 10 at 5pm on Tuesday to reopen its defence. He will hear the interlocutory application and will rule on whether to allow the “fresh evidence” to be presented by the defence.

Justice Lee is currently scheduled to deliver his judgment in the Federal Court in Sydney at 10.15am on Thursday 4 April.

If his honour allows the fresh evidence it will almost certainly lead to a rescheduling.

The five week trial, which dominated headlines, wrapped in December. Lisa Wilkinson also won a cross-claim brought against Network 10 over legal fees, but the amount 10 might have to pay will not be determined until the end of the proceedings.

Meanwhile Taylor Auerbach, a former producer on Seven’s Spotlight and SKY News, has sent a concerns notice, the first step in defamation proceedings, to Lehrmann following recent media statements.

In a criminal trial in 2022 Bruce Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual intercourse without consent, denying that any sexual activity had occurred.

Source: Guardian Australia