By Katarina Klaric, Principal, Stephens Lawyers & Consultants (Jan 2018) – Recent awards of damages by courts for on-line defamation serves as a warning to all using the internet, that care must be taken to ensure that there is a factual basis for what is published. In Wilson v Bauer Media (2017) VSC 521, Rebel Wilson was awarded one of the highest damages awards for defamation in Australia, involving the publication of one print article in the Women’s Day and seven on-line articles in 2015. This update provides a review of the damages awarded in recent defamation cases and some of the factors taken into account by courts in awarding damages. [Read more]