Rebel’s lawyer reveals huge sum
REBEL Wilson wants more than $ 6 million following her epic defamation win against Bauer Media.
For the first time since her defamation trial started more than a month ago her lawyer yesterday put a specific figure on her claim.
Making his submission in the Supreme Court, Dr Matthew Collins, QC, for Wilson, said it was a particularly conservative figure.
“In our submission, the combination of the seriousness of the imputations that were found by the jury, the extent of publications, the number of publications, the failure of all defences, the finding of malice and what we will submit is a degree of aggravation that has no parallel in the authorities, makes this case unique,” he said.
“Our submission will be that it warrants the highest award of general damages since at least the advent of the uniform defamation legislation in 2006.
“The case is also unique for the magnitude of the economic loss caused by the publication of the defamatory articles.”
Judge John Dixon said it would take weeks to assess the claim, by which time general damages would be capped at $ 389,500. Dr Collins said Wilson was claiming $ 5.893 million in special damages on top of $ 1.2 million general damages.