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Rolling coverage of the Kiwimeter defamation trial at BATS Theatre
19 - 23 April, 7.30pm |
Judge denies application for closed doors hearing
Counsel for the plaintiff, Joel Backensdael hails judge's decision as "a win for common sense." Photo: Mouce Young
After already succeeding to secure name suppression for the unnamed commentator on trial for defamation, the counsel for the defence, Karen Rizmacken went a step further yesterday in attempting to keep her client out of the limelight.
At the interlocutory hearing the defence applied for in-camera proceedings, which means no public or media would be allowed in the trail, due to begin on Tuesday the 19th. The move was opposed by the counsel for the plaintiff, Joel Backensdael, who argued that name-suppression was already generous protection for an individual who initiated the stoush by putting the allegedly defamatory comments into the public arena. "It's a win for natural justice and it's a win for common sense," said Mr Backensdael, after the hearing. A representative of Murdoch Media Empire also made a submission to the judge, claiming that public interest in the case was exceedingly high, given the nature of the claim, which, they argued, "goes to the heart of what it means to be a kiwi". Justice Ranzerson's statement outlining her decision was reportedly rambling and for large segments, incoherent. Ms Rizmacken said that while she accepted the judge's decision, she found the justification that 'tickets can't be refunded' "perplexing." |
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