Mercedes Corby, sister of Schapelle Corby who was convicted of a drug importation offence in Bali and who remains imprisoned there, has commenced legal action for defamation against the Channel Seven program 'Today Tonight' in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Ms Corby's Sydney lawyer, Bill Kalantzis, said today that unspecified damages were sought for the program's allegations to the effect that Mercedes Corby was knowingly involved in the Schapelle Corby importation, that she has sold drugs, that she has imported drugs to Bali, and that she interfered with her sister's defence, costing her a chance of acquittal. The court documents filed by Mercedes Corby assert that the allegations are false.
The defendants include Channel Seven, the 'Today Tonight' presenter, Anna Coren and its reporter Bryan Seymour, as well as JodiePower, the woman who made the allegations.
The case is expected to have its first mention in the Supreme Court next month. Ms Corby will be represented by Stuart Littlemore QC.”
Stuart Littlemore QC practices at the Bar in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth and Papua New Guinea. He also appears on occasions in the United States of America. He has twice been elected to the Bar Council of New South Wales. In his legal work, Stuart specialises in media law, criminal law and administrative law. In parallel with his work as a lawyer, Stuart has maintained a career as a maker of documentary films and nonfiction television programs over more than 20 years.
He is probably best known for his writing and presentation of the ABC TV programs ‘Media Watch’ for nine years from 1989 to 1998 and ‘Littlemore’ in 2001. He has been employed by all Australian commercial television networks, the ABC and BBC TV in London. His memoir of professional life, “The Media and Me”, published by ABC Books, was a best-seller in 1997. He has lectured in journalism and politics at three Australian universities, and been awarded a number of fellowships – by the Australia Council, Deakin University, and the University of Tasmania.
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