TIMBER giant Gunns Limited has succeeded in having its civil damages case against environmentalists heard, after four attempts. More than two years after the case began, the Victorian Supreme Court accepted that allegations against 14 people over anti-logging protests in Tasmania could proceed. Previous statements of claim had been dismissed.

Tasmanian timber giant Gunns' fourth attempt to sue environmentalists and green groups will be allowed to proceed after the Victorian Supreme Court lifted a stay of proceedings. Gunns first attempted to sue 20 defendants in 2004, claiming anti-logging protests had damaged its business.

ENVIRONMENTAL activists against logging in Tasmania face a new battle with timber giant Gunns, after it won the go-ahead for a fresh lawsuit against them. Victoria's Supreme Court lifted a stay of proceedings imposed last August, clearing the way for the company to sue 14 environmentalists over their anti-logging protests.

On Tuesday 3 April 2007 Justice Bongiorno handed down his decision following the hearing on 27 February 2007. The judgment concerned a number of issues. Essentially it was about the future progress of the case for the remaining defendants and the way in which some defendants exit the case. A copy of the reasons for judgment is not available at this time.

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners opposed to logging in Tasmania are facing an uphill battle after timber giant Gunns was given the go-ahead to proceed with a lawsuit against them. Victoria's Supreme Court yesterday lifted a stay of proceedings imposed last August, clearing the way for the company to sue 14 environmentalists over their anti-logging protests.

Green campaigners opposed to logging activities in Tasmania are facing an uphill battle after timber giant Gunns was given the go-ahead to proceed with a lawsuit against them. Victoria's Supreme Court lifted a stay of proceedings imposed last August, clearing the way for the company to sue 14 environmentalists over their anti-logging protests.

The Victorian Supreme Court has cleared the way for Tasmanian timber giant Gunns to proceed with a lawsuit against 14 environmental campaigners. Gunns first launched legal action against 20 environmentalists - including two Green party politicians - in December 2004, citing their ongoing damaging campaigns and activities against the company.

On 27 February 2007 in the Supreme Court of Victoria- Melbourne, Justice Bongiorno heard Gunns' application to continue their claim against 13 individuals and 2 organisation (see transcript attached). The Judge will present his decision at a time and date to be announced.

A Directions Hearing in the Gunns case was held on 9 February in the Supreme Court of Victoria, Melbourne. This followed a Directions Hearings on 25 January 2007.

On 9 February it was determined by His Honour Justice Bongiorno that the claim against Doctors for Native Forests be dismissed. Gunns were ordered to pay the full legal costs of Doctors for Native Forests.

On Wednesday 13th December, a day before the 2nd anniversary of the case, Gunns' lawyers confirmed all claims against Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Tasmanian Greens leader Peg Putt have been dropped. In addition all corporate claims have been dropped. These related to accusations that defendants had damaged Gunns business by lobbying Japanese woodchip buyers and Gunns’ banks and causing the removal of Gunns from the Banksia Foundation environment awards.