9 h, mar 10, 2020 y - Depp v NGN & Wootton Johnny Depp Disclosure Extension Application Granted Four Additional Witness Statements and Witnesses Application Issued

Description:

On 10th March 2020 I heard an application by the Claimant (issued that day) for an extension of time within which to make disclosure of the documents from the Virginia libel action and which came within r.31.6. By my order of that day, I granted a short extension (until 13th March 2020), but, since the trial was still at that stage due to start on 23rd March 2020, I said (in paragraph (10) of the order) that the claim would be struck out if that, and a number of other parts of my order of 6th March 2020, were not complied with.

The application was issued by the Claimant's solicitors on 10th March 2020. It referred to four additional witness statements and witnesses. In addition to Mr Killackey and Ms James, these were Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder. However, shortly in advance of the hearing today, the Defendants indicated that they consented to late service of the witness statements of Ms Paradis and Ms Ryder and to them giving evidence on the Claimant's behalf at trial. It is not therefore necessary for me to say more about those two, save that I am also content to give the Court's consent, so far as that is necessary in relation to them.

I turn therefore to the other two witnesses - Mr Killackey and Ms James. Mr Sherbome, who represented the Claimant on this occasion, recognised that the Claimant needed relief from sanctions. The reason for this was that in the Directions Order which I had made on 6th March 2020 I had said that any further witness statements on which the Claimant wished to rely should be served by 4.00pm on Friday 6" March 2020. The witness statements of Mr Killackey and Ms James were served at 12.04am on 7th March
2020.

SOURCE:
UK Court Documents:
- Jenny Afia 02 Witness Statement
- UK Core Trial Bundle Item 26 Order of Nicol J (extension of time)

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: