Sir Robert Jones Defamation Case May Settle ‘Racism’ Definition . . But It Also Created Another Knighthood Issue

The defamation trial between Sir Robert Jones and Renae Maihi saw Sir Robert’s lawyer Fletcher Pilditch corrected on his reference to his client as “Sir Jones”, as the Wellington trial commenced today.

Pilditch, a former Crown Prosecutor in Rotorua, will need to be on his mettle for a case involving a satirical column written about Maori in the National Business Review.

Sir Robert, a well known commentator, humourist, libertarian and writer as well as a long-standing businessman and LawFuel contributor, is preparing a robust defence of the allegation of racism. He is seeking a declaration of defamation rather than damages.

The 2018 column was taken as offensive and resulted in a petition, organised by the defendant Mihi, of almost 70,000 seeking to strip Sir Robert of the knighthood that Pilditch was having difficulty using correctly.

Howeever the clarification of the legal definition of ‘racism’, the issue of free speech and the increasing clamour for strong ‘hate speech’ laws will be a central focus for the case.

Whilst the Human Rights Act prevents speech that may arouse hostility on the grounds of race (among others), the Bill of Rights Act preserves the right to free speech.

>> Latest Law Jobs Here

Recently on LawFuel

• NZ Law News – New Partners at Greenwood Roche
  National specialist projects firm, Greenwood Roche, has announced that Mark Anderson and Antonia Shanahan will be joining the firm’s partnership on 1 April 2021. Mark is a specialist commercial property lawyer based in […] More
• Mainzeal Directors Lose in Court of Appeal
  31 March 2021 | – The Court of Appeal decision released today has confirmed the liquidators were successful in the Court of Appeal. The court found the liquidators “are entitled to an award […] More
• New Additions For Russell McVeagh . . And One Rather Surprising Departure
  While Russell McVeagh have announced the return of firm alumni in a recent press release, there has been nothing said about the departure this year of star tax partner Brendan Brown. Tax partner […] More
• Westpac demerger: What does that mean for NZ Inc.?
  In recent days, Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) announced it is considering a demerger of its New Zealand business. On 24 March 2021, WBC issued the following media release: MinterEllisonRuddWatts- As part of Westpac’s […] More
• Russell McVeagh Welcomes Back Senior Alumni
  Russell McVeagh is welcoming back an impressive group of senior alumni who have returned to the firm over recent months, with many of these lawyers re-joining the firm following overseas experience working at […] More