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Collins' defamation trial set for February

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Collins' defamation trial set for February

3News NZ

Judith Collins' defamation case will be heard in February next year

Judith Collins' defamation case will be heard in February next year

By 3 News online staff

High Court judge Geoff Venning has set the date for ACC Minister Judith Collins’ defamation case against Labour MPs Trevor Mallard and Andrew Little.

It will be a judge-only trial, starting on February 25 next year. It is expected to take up to five days.

Lawyers for all parties met at the High Court in Auckland this morning for a chambers conference with Justice Venning to discuss timetabling.

A settlement conference will also be held on November 12.

Ms Collins announced the defamation action earlier this year amid the ACC scandal involving leaked documents to Bronwyn Pullar and a letter sent to Ms Collins by former National Party president Michelle Boag.

She claims Mr Little and Mr Mallard defamed her on national radio by linking her office to the leak of Ms Boag’s letter. She denies she was responsible and the pair failed to apologise.

Ms Collins is not seeking damages but wants it declared that Mr Mallard and Mr Little defamed her.

3 News

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Comments

24/07/2012 10:55:47 a.m.

Nick wrote:

How much of Taxpayers money has been wasted so far and there is more to be wasted in the coming years, it is absolutely ridiculous.

22/07/2012 9:53:56 p.m.

Mal wrote:

Is this another waste of tax payers money? More time sorting out the ACC crap would be time better spent. No wonder it has fallen a part. Look at who is running it.

21/07/2012 4:38:58 p.m.

David wrote:

@Tom dont listen to Brent there are a hell of a lot of costs that Collins isnt covering... power to the courthouse, the Juries fees, The judges wages.... all of these are paid for by the tax payer.. so Collins is contributing bugger all. It turns out also that before being questioned by Mallard and Little in the House that Collins had already spoken to the press (Little will supply proof) so that actually means she has no case and this is one big exercise in stupidity for Collins.

19/07/2012 6:43:11 a.m.

Brent wrote:

@JACOB, That's Funny, Must be hard for MP's to say sorry, even harder to do it in the house again for Mallard, @TOM Collins has stated she will cover costs, Mallard and Little are asking for Donations for there costs,

18/07/2012 2:26:46 p.m.

Jacob wrote:

Our court system are backed up enough without a selfish MP trying to prove a relatively pointless point. I love how National supporters, who take every chance possible to nit pick at Labour over their "over-reaction and dramatising" of situations with importance are keeping quiet on this pathetic and mediocre issue.

18/07/2012 11:30:40 a.m.

Tom wrote:

Hope the tax payers aren't funding this.