Friends of Forests and Free Speech - In support of the Gunns 20

ACT passes Anti-SLAPP legislation. 27 August 2008

Legal — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:21:41 +1000

The ACT Parliament today passed legislation to protect public participation. This is Australia's first "anti-SLAPP*" legislation. It aims to discourage civil proceedings that interfere with public participation. Public participation is defined in the legislation as meaning action taken to influence public opinion, the government or corporations. (*SLAPP - Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation)

Gunns ordered to pay Bob Brown and Peg Putt's legal costs of $52,622.00. 19 August 2008

Legal — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:14:19 +1000

On 19 and 20 August 2008 the Supreme Court of Victoria ordered Gunns pay Bob Brown and Peg Putt's legal costs for the Gunns20 case in the sum of $52,622.00.

This follows Gunns dropping Putt and Brown from the case in October 2006. On 4 April 2007 Judge Bongiorno ordered Gunns pay their costs on a party/party basis.

Court Hearing – Gunns demands details of 79 conservationists and reveals Triabunna 2004 action has settled. 16 July 2008

Legal — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:43:49 +1000

The Gunns20 case returned to court today for argument as to whether The Wilderness Society (TWS) should be ordered to release more documents. The hearing lasted all day and the presiding Master has reserved his decision (meaning he will hand it down at a later date). In the course of the hearing Gunns’ barrister, Ian Waller SC, revealed that a section of the case, which concerns allegations of protest activity in 2004 at the Triabunna woodchip mill and wharf, had been settled. No details of the terms of the settlement were revealed.

Court hears that cost of defending the case exceeds the claim. 2 June 2008

Legal — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:13:49 +1000

On 2 June 2008 the Supreme Court of Victoria heard another application brought by Gunns Ltd. This application was for “discovery” and production of further documents from The Wilderness Society.

Gunns persist with the defamation action against Dr Frank Nicklason. 29 May 2008

Legal — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 +1000

Gunns defamation case against leading Hobart physician Dr Frank Nicklason was before the Victorian Supreme Court again on 29 May 2008. Dr Nicklason was one of the Gunns20 previously accused of being part of a conspiracy against Gunns.

Gunns fails in application for further court orders. 28 April 2008

Legal — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:45:58 +1000

Master Evans of the Victorian Supreme Court today refused Gunns' application for further orders compelling defendants to provide further documents. This is part of the "discovery" process which commenced in October last year.

Gunns20 back in court. 10 April 2008

Legal — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +1000

The Gunns case was back before the court today following an application by Gunns in late March 2008. Gunns20 barrister, Michael Gronow, said in court "this application is oppressive and a complete waste of time and should not have been brought". He commented that the way in which the case was being run "reflects no credit on the plaintiff [Gunns] or their lawyers [Clayton Utz]".

Gunns20 win Free Speech Victoria's Voltaire Award

Update — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:34:32 +1100

On Friday November 30, Senator Bob Brown attended the Free Speech Victoria Awards night to receive the "The Voltaire Award" on behalf of the Gunns 20. The award presented at a packed dinner held at th

Gunns case in court again. 16 November 2007

Legal — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:18:40 +1100

On 16 November 2007 Simon Brown (defendant#9) formally exited the case. This followed his acceptance of an offer from Gunns along the same lines as accepted by Russell Hanson (defendant#3) in September 2007. Simon Brown issued a brief statement saying:

Gunns continue case against Hobart doctor. 1 October 2007

Legal — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:00:58 +1100

Gunns have served another statement of claim on Dr Nicklason after the Court struck out the previous one on 17 September 2007. This is the fourth statement of claim in the Gunns 20 case to be struck out.