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Lehrmann Begins Three-Day Appeal to Overturn Defamation Loss and Rape Findings

His appeal argues he was denied procedural fairness in Justice Michael Lee’s civil findings.

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Overview

  • Bruce Lehrmann’s appeal opens Wednesday in Sydney before the Full Court of the Federal Court for a three-day hearing.
  • The panel is comprised of Justices Michael Wigney, Craig Colvin and Wendy Abraham.
  • Lehrmann contends the trial judge decided a case different from Ten and Lisa Wilkinson’s pleadings, citing the disputed “no on a loop” detail and claims that recklessness about consent was not put to him in cross-examination.
  • Ten and Wilkinson’s lawyers counter that he denied any sexual intercourse at trial, arguing there was no unfairness in not pressing him on consent and calling his procedural fairness claim misconceived.
  • In April 2024, Justice Michael Lee found Higgins’ allegation was substantially true, described Lehrmann as “hell-bent” with “non-advertent recklessness,” ruled Ten and Wilkinson did not defame him, and noted he would have received only $20,000 in damages if he had succeeded; Lehrmann denies the assault and the 2022 criminal case ended without a verdict.