DEFAMATION - where defamatory imputations allegedly conveyed by a television program called "A Current Affair" and accompanying articles about dispute concerning the ownership of a supposedly Instagram famous dog named Oscar - the wondrous life and times of Oscar the cavoodle - where alleged imputations included theft and financial exploitation of Oscar and delay of related court proceedings - whether alleged imputations carried or conveyed by the publications - held that most of the imputations were conveyed
DEFAMATION - defence of justification - whether substantially true that the applicant "stole" Oscar - where the applicant obtained possession of the dog by a deception - whether applicant had an honest claim of right - defence not established - defence of contextual truth - contextual imputations not substantially true and any damage caused by them would not have "swamped" the damage caused by other imputations
DAMAGES - extent of damages for non-economic loss - whether aggravated damages should be awarded - whether pre-publication conduct can be considered for aggravated damages - where defamatory publications damaged applicant's reputation and caused hurt to feelings and distress to applicant - mitigation or reduction of damages as a result of disreputable conduct on the part of the applicant - applicant awarded compensatory and aggravated damages
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