Amber Heard

Following testimony given during the 2020 British trial, Australian authorities re-examined how Heard's dogs had been brought into the country in 2015 and investigated possible false statements. A file was referred to prosecutors.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In 2016, Heard announced that she would donate her entire $7 million divorce settlement, divided equally between the ACLU and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. At the 2022 trial, an ACLU official testified that the organisation had received only approximately $1.3 million attributed to the $3.5 million pledge, some of it from third parties and only a fraction directly from accounts controlled by Heard.

Attribution

Personally implicated

The Fairfax County jury concluded that all three statements challenged by Depp were defamatory and had been made with actual malice. It awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, the latter reduced to the statutory maximum of $350 000, producing a judgment of $10.35 million.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Accused

The same jury found in Heard's favour on one of her three counterclaims, concluding that a statement by Depp's former lawyer Adam Waldman had defamed her. Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following the verdict, Heard sought to have it set aside or obtain a new trial, citing in particular a question about a juror's identity. Judge Penney Azcarate rejected the motion on 13 July 2022 and upheld the first-instance judgment before the appeal.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Heard and Depp reached a settlement ending the appeals from the Virginia trial. Heard agreed to a payment of $1 million, substantially less than the initial $10.35 million judgment, and the appellate proceedings ended.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Personally implicated

Heard testified in Depp's defamation lawsuit against News Group Newspapers and Dan Wootton. The High Court dismissed Depp's claim and found the article's central allegation substantially true, accepting 12 of the 14 alleged incidents under the civil standard. The Court of Appeal subsequently refused permission to appeal.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

In December 2018, Heard signed a Washington Post opinion piece about sexual violence and the backlash faced by women who speak out. Depp was not named, but he argued that several passages implicitly referred to him and brought defamation proceedings in 2019.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The producers of London Fields sued Heard for $10 million, alleging breaches of her performance and promotional obligations. Heard counterclaimed, arguing that sexual scenes filmed with a body double violated the nudity rider in her contract. In September 2018, the rights holders announced a settlement and withdrew their claims.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Personally implicated

In August 2016, Heard and Depp reached an agreement ending their divorce and the restraining order proceedings. They issued a joint statement describing their relationship as intensely passionate and at times volatile, stating in particular that no false allegations had been made for financial gain.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Personally implicated

Amber Heard was arrested and booked in Seattle in 2009 for alleged fourth-degree domestic violence assault involving her then-partner, photographer Tasya van Ree. Prosecutors nevertheless declined to file charges.

Attribution

Personally implicated

After bringing her two Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, into Australia without declaring them in accordance with biosecurity rules, Heard pleaded guilty in April 2016 to producing a false or misleading entry document. The two more serious charges relating to illegal importation were dropped.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Accused

During her separation from Johnny Depp, Heard alleged in a sworn statement that he had assaulted her repeatedly and presented, among other things, a photograph of a bruise on her face. On 27 May 2016, a Los Angeles judge granted her a temporary restraining order requiring Depp to stay away.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Personally implicated