Two interesting law suits
November 24th, 2008 at 8:45 am by David FarrarAn article in the Herald on public law and lobbying, mainly focused on Mai Chen.
That said, about a third of the firm’s work is litigation, and her current workload includes two particularly high-profile cases. She has been hired by former Auckland District Health Board member Tony Bierre to sue former Prime Minister Helen Clark for defamation over comments she made during the Labtests fiasco. Chen is also acting for National Party advisers Crosby/Textor, who are suing journalist Nicky Hager over comments he made to Radio New Zealand.
Both those law suits look fascinating.
Tags: Crosby/Textor, defamation, Helen Clark, Mai Chen, Nicky Hager, Tony Bierre
November 24th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I can only wish Mai Chen the best of luck in both cases.
Vote:November 24th, 2008 at 9:35 am
The discovery process , for both sides, in the Crosby Textor case will be interesting.
I bet CT will drop the case after 12 months, after all it was probably done to keep Stephen Joyce happy and he will have a lot on his plate next year
[DPF: Do you always just make things up?]
Vote:November 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am
They do look fascinating indeed. I think if I could I would specialise in defamation law. Given the cost involved in even putting someone on notice, even more if you use Mai Chen, you would think that the cases had some basis though of course with defamation it all turns on the defence.
Vote:November 24th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Tony Bierre may have an uphill battle if he is regarded as a ‘politician’ because of the Lange v Atkinson decision. The problem is there seems no ‘bright line’ between who is a politician or not. A MP is a politician, a Mayor or City Councillor is most probably a politician, a SOE Board Member is not a politician, but a Health Board member may be a politician if elected by the public but may not be if appointed by the Minister. So a major aspect Mai Chen will need to attend to is to get Tony clear of the clutches of Lange v Atkinson.
Wth respect to Crosby Textor, regardless of the outcome of the particular case, the time has probably come to follow the Australian states who have forbidden corporates from suing for defamation. This followed aggressive defamation suits against environmentalists and media brought by Gunns the forestry company) of Tasmania.
Vote:November 24th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I believe, but don’t know, that the suit might be in the name of one of them as an individual.
Vote:November 24th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Anyone know what it was that Hagar said?
Vote:November 24th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Go and get this hypocrite Nicky Hager , Mai Chen. I am sure that you will nail Hagar this time. Make him pay.
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