The Lawsuits Thread

[meeps]

If she can get the judge to agree that the article is protected by freedom of speech she has won as far as I can see. And it will be almost impossible to conduct a defamation case in the future - people can say and write what they want no matter how big a lie it is ...
Or am I too pessimistic there?

[Granna]

Meeps: Judge White agreed to 3 of the 4 claims in Team Depp's lawsuit. There is considerable amount of prove Depp has provided. "Lost beyond Pluto" did an excellent video in this very concern so keep your chin up, keep the faith and believe.

As previously stated, Depp will not get everything he wants. Let Team Heard think whatever, let Heard strut because SHE thinks ahe is all that. Smile & think happy thoughts of Depp, Waldman and Chew doing a "Snoopy Victory Dance."

[ForeverYoung]

I don't know where Deadline is getting that Johnny has to pay Amber less than $7,000 fees when the Order says $650.20. Maybe a typo? Amber's team has to submit a list of their fees to JD's team for the deposition and costs (which I find unfair) but JD's team can file papers if they don't agree with the figure.

[reindeermoon]

Some people said that If Johnny Depp has to fly over and sit for that three- day deposition, the others have to do the same. Like James Franco, iO Tillet or Elon Musk who did not sit for they depos yet. They cannot avoid a depo now, because Johnny Depp must do it. And that it is a good ruling from the judge.

[Lbock]

I don't know where Deadline is getting that Johnny has to pay Amber less than $7,000 fees when the Order says $650.20. Maybe a typo? Amber's team has to submit a list of their fees to JD's team for the deposition and costs (which I find unfair) but JD's team can file papers if they don't agree with the figure.

I was wondering if Deadline had a source at the hearing. Or got a transcript. It could be that AH (lawyer) stated a number just under $7k and Team Depp opposed it. So judge said it needed to be submitted in writing. Reasonable costs I guess with proof. And then Depp could formally oppose. Idk

Restrictions changed regarding isolation requirements while these motions were going back and forth. Plus Johnny attending three crowded events didn’t help. Johnny filed the suit in VA and fought to keep it there. It has to be handled by local lawyers plus add-ons. At this point, I don’t see the judge had any option but to make him sit for his deposition in VA. You can’t bring a suit and claim my work schedule prevents me from my legal duties—like us regular people can’t say, sorry I can only do legal stuff on the weekends as I work Mon-Fri.

[SnoopyDances]

If she can get the judge to agree that the article is protected by freedom of speech she has won as far as I can see. And it will be almost impossible to conduct a defamation case in the future - people can say and write what they want no matter how big a lie it is ...
Or am I too pessimistic there?

Freedom of speech does not protect against liable or slander, which is what Johnny's team is trying to prove: That her published and public opinion is based on lies and, as a result, Johnny has suffered personal and professional damage.

From Cornell University, School of Law
Here is a synopsis of the First Amendment, freedom of speech section:

The most basic component of freedom of expression is the right to freedom of speech.Freedom of speech may be exercised in a direct (words) or a symbolic (actions) way. Freedom of speech is recognized as a human right under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without government interference or regulation. The Supreme Court requires the government to provide substantial justification for the interference with the right of free speech where it attempts to regulate the content of the speech. Generally, a person cannot be held liable, either criminally or civilly for anything written or spoken about a person or topic, so long as it is truthful or based on an honest opinion and such statements.

Defamation has been brought into the First Amendment picture on several occasions:

On the other hand, there is a legitimate state interest in compensating individuals for the harm inflicted on them by defamatory falsehoods. An individual’s right to the protection of his own good name is, at bottom, but a reflection of our society’s concept of the worth of the individual.

Hope this helps, Meeps.

[meeps]

It does Thanks a billion for cheering me up to you all

[ForeverYoung]

I don't know where Deadline is getting that Johnny has to pay Amber less than $7,000 fees when the Order says $650.20. Maybe a typo? Amber's team has to submit a list of their fees to JD's team for the deposition and costs (which I find unfair) but JD's team can file papers if they don't agree with the figure.

I was wondering if Deadline had a source at the hearing. Or got a transcript. It could be that AH (lawyer) stated a number just under $7k and Team Depp opposed it. So judge said it needed to be submitted in writing. Reasonable costs I guess with proof. And then Depp could formally oppose. Idk

Restrictions changed regarding isolation requirements while these motions were going back and forth. Plus Johnny attending three crowded events didn’t help. Johnny filed the suit in VA and fought to keep it there. It has to be handled by local lawyers plus add-ons. At this point, I don’t see the judge had any option but to make him sit for his deposition in VA. You can’t bring a suit and claim my work schedule prevents me from my legal duties—like us regular people can’t say, sorry I can only do legal stuff on the weekends as I work Mon-Fri.

Amber's team will to provide all the bills, including the legal fees, and then JD's team can oppose them if they think the charges are excessive. The judge did not put anything in his order about JD having to pay expenses close to $7,000.

I agree that Johnny can't expect everything in this VA case to get delayed because he has to work BUT there is no reason why the deposition can't be done by video link because Judges and attorneys are doing many things by video link right now, especially with the covid numbers in the US on the rise again. If Amber's team is in fact opposing this it just proves they want to give him a hard time and it makes them look really bad.

[Lbock]

Interesting Youtube on Johnny's deposition requirement.

[Lbock]

OK, more docs dropped in fairfax. Crazy

Guess what, you won't guess, I know you won't....

Amber Heard is compelling more documents from Johnny. I know, I'm shocked too!

Defendant's Memorandum in Support of Motion to Compel
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/s ... 6-2020.pdf
Defendant's Motion to Compel
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/s ... 6-2020.pdf

Mostly wanting more of his personal tax income - since they already received his loan-out company tax info.

They also want all depositions, documents, etc from all his litigations that mention Heard, his potential career losses, etc. I'm sure you get the picture.

[Lbock]

Depp team has responded with their final opposition to sanctions against Adam W. for violating protective order, and revisiting the protective order most likely to expand it if not a full gag order. However, Adam didn't violate the order as the information was made available via the UK trial via pre-trial hearings and the court testimony itself. It's a great read!

Plaintiff's Reply Memorandum in Opposition to Sanctions
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/s ... 6-2020.pdf

[Lbock]

In California, Depp has filed their final:

Opposition - OPPOSITION OPPOSITION OF JOHN C. DEPP, II TO PETITIONER AMBER LAURA HEARD’S PETITION TO QUASH PLAINTIFF’S CIVIL SUBPOENA TO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES; REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS;

Opposition - OPPOSITION TO PETITIONER AMBER LAURA HEARD'S PETITION TO STAY DEPOSITION OF JENNIFER HOWELL, TO QUASH PLAINTIFF'S SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM AND REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS

He has also asked for a judical ruling on the CHLA donations. I think the sanctions are against Disney as those are the only ones I've seen mentioned. Sorry, way too many pages for me to buy.

Ruling asked for on October 29, 2020

[Granna]

LBock: Can Team Depp do anything about Team Heard's motions? Just curious. Team Heard is getting on people's nerves. Mine included.

[Lbock]

LBock: Can Team Depp do anything about Team Heard's motions? Just curious. Team Heard is getting on people's nerves. Mine included.

This is a typical defense. If I can't win, bury them in paperwork and up their legal costs. I think they know they can't win. I think they KNOW they can't win their counterclaim. But it's gonna cost Depp allot of money in legal costs for all that additional discovery and depositions. In the main case, Heard had 51+ subpoenas with many in-person depositions that someone from Depp's legal team has to attend.

What happened to "The DA said I had the most compeling DV case ever". I mean, she could have simply ended this right at the start with solid proof he abused her. Nada.

So on it goes, with every legal thread they can pull. Every motion. Attempt to block or limit his subpoeans. Put out outrageous supboena's they have to expend legal costs in California and NY courts to try to limit or quash.

Their only hope is he gives up and moves on either from financial loss or its too embarassing. Or maybe his kids might say, enough dad!
It's gonna cost him far more than he could ever recover from her. I hope he has a legal contingency payment plan,

In the law, a contingent fee is defined as a fee charged for a lawyer's services that is payable only if a lawsuit is successful or results in a favorable settlement, usually in the form of a percentage of the amount recovered on behalf of the client.

[ForeverYoung]

It seems to me like Amber's team should focus more on the deformation allegation against her instead of how much money he either did or didn't make. I get that she wants to prove it isn't as much as he says but this lawyer has a reputation of being a bully.