Johnny Depp to receive hearing in March over bid to appeal UK court’s ruling

Earlier, the UK High Court had ruled in favour of 'The Sun' for branding Depp a 'wife beater'.

Johnny Depp and his legal team will receive an oral hearing in their bid to appeal a decision handed down by the UK High Court in March, reported Deadline.

The court had ruled that The Sun did not libel the actor by branding him a “wife beater” in a 2018 article.

Now, Court of Appeal judge Lord Justice Underhill has decreed that an estimated two-hour hearing will take place between March 15 and 31 so that “further evidence” can be adduced. “The issues raised by both applications are best resolved at a hearing,” he wrote.

Whereas contender Amber Heard’s legal team will need to file reasons for opposing the appeal by February 21 while Depp’s team can respond by February 28.

The actor is looking to overturn the previous ruling which was not libeled by the News Group-owned tabloid when it branded him a “wife beater”, with the initial ruling stating the phrase was “substantially true” in relation to his relationship with ex-wife Heard.

The verdict damaged Depp’s reputation, as it stated he “did assault Ms Heard” in reference to multiple allegations of domestic violence.

Since the verdict, Depp’s lawyers have claimed the actor “did not receive a fair trial” and that the ruling has been “plainly wrong.”

Depp’s legal battle with Heard also continues to roll on in the US.

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