Judgment in Bruce Lehrmann's lawsuit against Network Ten has been delayed after an extraordinary bid to introduce new evidence at the eleventh hour.
The former political staffer was due to learn on Thursday whether his defamation case over reports of his alleged rape of Brittany Higgins had succeeded. But, with his draft judgment printed and ready to be read out, Justice Michael Lee on Tuesday agreed fresh evidence concerning leaked text messages should be admitted. "This is clearly fresh evidence," he said in the Federal Court on Tuesday evening.
Justice Lee said the evidence may change the determination of the case and agreed with Ten that it went to whether Lehrman had abused the court process. Ten's barrister Matthew Collins accused Lehrmann of giving his barristers instructions "that must have been wrong". His barristers had previously told Ten and the court the undertaking concerning Higgins' messages had not been breached. "This is not a trivial matter," Collins said.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Network Ten wins bid to have Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case reopenedFormer Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann's Federal Court defamation case against Network Ten over coverage of Brittany Higgins's rape allegation will be reopened, after new evidence emerged in the case.
Read more »
Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial: Network Ten asks to reopen its defence, citing ‘fresh evidence’Justice Michael Lee will hear an urgent application from Network Ten at 5pm on Tuesday
Read more »
Ten seeks to call fresh evidence about Bruce Lehrmann days before judgmentNetwork Ten wants to call new evidence about the former federal Liberal staffer, in a sensational development in the defamation case.
Read more »
Ten seeks to call fresh evidence about Bruce Lehrmann days before judgmentNetwork Ten wants to call new evidence about the former federal Liberal staffer, in a sensational development in the defamation case.
Read more »
Ten seeks to call fresh evidence about Bruce Lehrmann days before judgmentNetwork Ten wants to call new evidence about the former federal Liberal staffer, in a sensational development in the defamation case.
Read more »
Network Ten makes eleventh-hour application to introduce new evidence in Bruce Lehmann defamation caseNetwork Ten applies for a last-minute application to introduce new evidence in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case against the company and its journalist Lisa Wilkinson, just days before the judgement was due to be handed down.
Read more »