Retrial for $1.27m damages

Taxpayers’ Union co-founder Jordan Williams may be able to claw back the $1.27 million in damages originally awarded to him in a defamation case.

Williams was awarded the damages by a jury in his case against former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig.

The High Court judge presiding over the case later set aside the damages – the largest defamation award in New Zealand, and the maximum Williams had sought.

But yesterday, the Court of Appeal released a decision allowing part of Williams’ appeal, which would see a retrial of his claim for damages.

Other aspects of Williams’ appeal and Craig’s cross-appeal were dismissed.

The decision also said a judgment would be entered in favour of Williams in accordance with the jury’s verdict on liability.

The background to the original High Court case was Craig’s relationship with his press secretary, what was alleged about that, how Craig responded to the allegations, and a leaflet drop to 1.6 million homes nationwide.

After the jury’s award was set aside and a new trial ordered, Williams appealed to have the jury’s verdicts upheld.

The Court of Appeal indicated that the damages probably could not stand.

Presiding at the appeal, Justice Rhys Harrison said the judges were all anxious not to see further waste of judges’ time, or the resources of Williams and Craig.

Lawyers for both sides stressed how important the case was for Williams and Craig. Williams’ lawyer, Peter McKnight, said his client would agree to having the original trial judge fix damages.