Kevin Spacey’s Legal Team Corrects Mistake, Trial to Proceed
In a recent turn of events, Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has successfully challenged a London court’s decision that had found him liable for an alleged sexual assault. The reversal came after Spacey’s legal representatives acknowledged a failure to submit a defense in response to a civil lawsuit.
The case involves an anonymous man who claims that he was sexually assaulted by Spacey in 2008. Despite denying these allegations, Spacey faced a “judgment in default” earlier this year when his attorneys, from the renowned Carter-Ruck law firm, did not file a defense on time. Adam Speker, representing Spacey, described the oversight as a “genuine error” and contended that it would be unjust for the claimant to win by default, especially after a jury had previously not found in the claimant’s favor during a criminal trial.
Justice Jeremy Cook agreed with Speker’s argument, stating that the mistake made by Spacey’s solicitors should not impact the actor himself. As a result of Judge Cook’s decision, the man suing Spacey for the assault will now proceed to a full trial.
This development follows closely on the heels of a Channel 4 documentary that aired allegations from several men against Spacey. In anticipation of the documentary, Spacey spoke with British broadcaster Dan Wootton, vehemently denying any illegal conduct and expressing his intent to defend himself against what he considers baseless and exaggerated claims.
“I take full responsibility for my past behaviour and my actions,” Spacey stated in the interview, “but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologize to anyone who’s made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me.”
The decision to overturn the previous court ruling means that
