Sheppard faces trial by judge alone after Hotchin-Watson defamation deemed too complex

Fri, 03 May 2013

May 3 (BusinessDesk) – Former New Zealand Shareholders Association chairman Bruce Sheppard will face trial by judge alone after former Hanover Finance shareholders Mark Hotchin and Eric Watson succeeded in arguing their defamation case was too complex for a jury. Judge Mark Cooper ordered a trial by judge alone based on “the complexity of the issues that are likely to arise and the nature of the factual and legal inquiry that will be necessary.” He declined Hotchin and Watson’s request for a review of Associate Judge Jeremy Doogue’s decisio...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market close

NZ sharemarket celebrates highest single-day rise in over five months

Graham Skellern 6:15pm

Politics

Media react to Melissa Lee sacking

The sector is keen to work with new minister Paul Goldsmith amid its financial crisis.

Daniel Dunkley 5:10pm

Politics

Govt reshuffle: Lee demoted, Simmonds loses portfolio

Melissa Lee has been stripped of her media and communications portfolio and dropped from the cabinet, prime minister Christopher Luxon announced today.He has given Paul Goldsmith the portfolio after Lee was widely criticised over her public handling of the numerous issues facing...

Staff reporters 1:20pm

Govt reshuffle: Lee demoted, Simmonds loses portfolio

Sponsored

Avoiding mistakes many investors make

Managing emotions key to securing long-term returns.

Milford

Sponsored

Boosting rural growth with innovation

Productivity and sustainability go hand in hand for the rural sector

ASB Scam Update