Ben Roberts-Smith ordered to pay indemnity costs for entirety of his failed defamation case against Nine

Ben Roberts-Smith ordered to pay indemnity costs for entirety of his failed defamation case against Nine #BREAKING #6NewsAU

#BREAKING 🚨 Ben Roberts-Smith ordered to pay indemnity costs for entirety of his failed defamation case against Nine | #6NewsAU

You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage

— 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) November 28, 2023

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

# Ben Roberts-Smith Ordered to Pay Indemnity Costs in Failed Defamation Case Against Nine

In a major development in the ongoing legal battle between Ben Roberts-Smith and Nine Entertainment, the former soldier has been ordered to pay indemnity costs for the entirety of his failed defamation case.

The decision was handed down by Justice Anthony Besanko of the Federal Court of Australia, following a lengthy and highly publicized trial. Roberts-Smith had sued Nine Entertainment, the parent company of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, over a series of articles that alleged he committed war crimes during his time in Afghanistan.

The court found that the articles were substantially true and that Roberts-Smith had engaged in conduct that was in breach of the expectations and values of the Australian Army. This ruling dealt a significant blow to the decorated soldier’s reputation and resulted in widespread public scrutiny.

Justice Besanko’s decision to order Roberts-Smith to pay indemnity costs means that he will be responsible for covering the entirety of Nine Entertainment’s legal fees. Indemnity costs are typically awarded in cases where one party has acted unreasonably, with the aim of deterring similar conduct in the future.

The amount Roberts-Smith will have to pay has not been disclosed, but legal experts speculate that it could amount to millions of dollars. This substantial financial burden could have serious implications for the former soldier, who has already incurred significant legal expenses throughout the trial.

The ruling has been hailed as a victory for press freedom and accountability. It sets a precedent that individuals in positions of power and influence cannot use defamation lawsuits to silence media organizations or evade scrutiny.

The case has attracted widespread media attention, with both Roberts-Smith and Nine Entertainment making headlines throughout the trial. The revelations and allegations made during the proceedings have sparked public debate about the conduct of Australian soldiers serving in Afghanistan and the ethical implications of military operations.

Roberts-Smith has maintained his innocence throughout the trial and has vowed to appeal the decision. His legal team argues that the evidence presented during the trial was unreliable and based on the accounts of unreliable witnesses.

The defamation case against Nine Entertainment is just one aspect of the ongoing legal battle surrounding Roberts-Smith. He is also facing a separate investigation by the Australian Federal Police into allegations of war crimes. The outcome of this investigation could have significant consequences for the former soldier’s career and reputation.

As the legal proceedings continue, the public will be closely watching to see how this high-profile case unfolds and what implications it may have for the broader issues of press freedom, military accountability, and the reputation of Ben Roberts-Smith..

Source

@6NewsAU said #BREAKING 🚨 Ben Roberts-Smith ordered to pay indemnity costs for entirety of his failed defamation case against Nine

RELATED STORY.