A federal appeals court has upheld a decision against Amber Heard, rejecting her appeal to reverse a previous ruling concerning her claims against New York Marine & General Insurance Co. This development is part of a broader legal narrative stemming from the defamation lawsuit initiated by Heard’s former husband, Johnny Depp. The insurer, which partially funded Heard’s defense costs, was alleged to have breached its duty by not appointing independent counsel. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in an unpublished opinion, found no such obligation existed under the terms of the policy. The decision effectively affirms the dismissal of Heard’s suit and counterclaims against the insurer.
The core issue revolved around the interpretation of New York Marine’s responsibilities under the insurance policy. Heard asserted that the insurer’s refusal to appoint independent legal representation violated their contractual duty. Yet, the court concluded that the insurance policy did not mandate coverage for the costs of independent counsel, thereby supporting the insurer’s fulfillment of its duty to defend. This latest ruling in the Ninth Circuit comes after a drawn-out public and legal battle between Heard and Depp, which has captured significant media attention.
Further details on the case can be found in the original Bloomberg Law article.