Palmer Bruyn & Parker Pty Ltd v Parsons

[2001] HCA 69
Judgment date
Case number
S8/2001
Before
Gleeson CJ, Gummow, Kirby, Hayne, Callinan JJ
Catchwords

Injurious falsehood – Elements of the tort - Forged letter containing false statements - Initial publication to defined group intended to ridicule subject of letter - Report in newspaper of "bogus letter" - Contract terminated as a result of newspaper report - Whether loss suffered caused by initial publication - Whether loss suffered was a natural and probable consequence of initial publication - Identification of relevant falsehood - Relevance of reasonable foreseeability as criterion for limiting liability - Causation of plaintiff's damage - Whether actual damage to plaintiff proved or assumed by expert report.

Words and phrases – "Natural and probable consequence", "grapevine effect".

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