New battle looms for Ben Roberts-Smith after High Court rejects defamation appeal
Ben Roberts-Smith has lost his final appeal in a defamation battle. But his legal fights might not end there.
The next court appearance for disgraced war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith could be as a criminal defendant after the High Court closed the book on his defamation case against Nine on Thursday.
The court refused “BRS” leave to appeal against findings at trial that he was complicit in the deaths of four unarmed Afghans — ending a seven-year legal battle.
Roberts-Smith had sought an extension of time for his appeal beyond the usual 28 days, but this was rejected by all seven justices.
“The application for special leave raises no question of legal principle and the proposed appeal has insufficient prospects of success,” the justices said.
