London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Dec 21, 2025

After Johnny Depp-Amber Heard, Gwyneth Paltrow's Big Courtroom Drama

After Johnny Depp-Amber Heard, Gwyneth Paltrow's Big Courtroom Drama

In a week, the case has seen stunning contradictions and emotional testimonies over a 2016 ski accident involving Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow.

Months after actors Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's sensational trial had the world glued to their phones, another Hollywood actor's soap opera-like trial is making headlines. In a week, the case has seen stunning contradictions and emotional testimonies over a 2016 ski accident involving Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow.

Here's what has happened in the case so far:

The case pertains to a 2016 ski accident where both parties, which are Ms Paltrow and 76-year-old Terry Sanderson, claim that the other caused the crash. Mr Sanderson claims he suffered a lasting brain injury and four fractured ribs due to the crash and is suing Ms Paltrow for $300,000.

Terry Sanderson claims he suffered a lasting brain injury and four fractured ribs due to the crash.


For a "symbolic" $1, and attorney's fees that could run into thousands of dollars, Gwyneth Paltrow is counter-suing Mr Sanderson. Ms Paltrow was questioned in court if she was "good friends with Taylor Swift"' and if the damages that she was seeking was inspired by a 2017 sexual assault case involving Ms Swift where she sought $1 in damages.

When asked whether or not the damages she was seeking was symbolic, Ms Paltrow admitted that it was. "It's symbolic because the damages would actually be more," she said before adding that his lawsuit was an "attempt to exploit her celebrity and wealth."

On day two of the trial, a camera that was placed directly in front of Ms Paltrow and her lawyer was found to be in violation of court decorum. The judge said, "I do see this as a violation, and I've asked that the reporter be told that this is now interrupting our proceedings. If it happens again, the reporter will be asked to leave."

In her version of the incident, Ms Paltrow said that she initially thought she was being sexually assaulted, adding that it felt like they were "spooning" when the two fell to the ground.

Ms Paltrow's courtroom style has been a focal point in the trial, with several outfits featuring pieces from her own brand.


Mr Sanderson and his attorneys have offered an alternative narrative, claiming that the Goop founder "skied out of control". Ms Paltrow denied that she ever engaged in "risky behavior" on a ski run with which she said she was previously familiar.

After an eyewitness with a different account of the crash than Ms Paltrow was brought in, she questioned the witness' accuracy and insisted that she was the one who was hit.

In a tearful testimony, Mr Sanderson's daughter alleged that the crash had caused a "personality change" in her father and cited an exchange between him and his granddaughter where he "belittled" her while she was attempting to close a car door.

Apart from the differing testimonies and heated exchanges, Ms Paltrow's courtroom style has been a focal point in the trial, with several outfits featuring pieces from her own brand. A $250 blue, leather notebook that she used to hide her face from cameras also captured headlines.

Ms Paltrow used a $250 blue, leather notebook to hide her face from cameras.


The proceedings will resume on Monday with Mr Sanderson slated to testify. Ms Paltrow's team is also expected to bring in medical experts, ski instructors and her two children, Moses, 16, and Apple, 18.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Fashion Label LK Bennett Pursues Accelerated Sale Amid Financial Struggles
U.S. Government Warns UK Over Free Speech in Pro-Life Campaigner Prosecution
Newly Released Files Shed Light on Jeffrey Epstein’s Extensive Links to the United Kingdom
Prince William and Prince George Volunteer Together at UK Homelessness Charity
UK Police Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’ as Authorities Recalibrate Free Speech Enforcement
Scambodia: The World Owes Thailand’s Military a Profound Debt of Gratitude
Women in Partial Nudity — and Bill Clinton in a Dress and Heels: The Images Revealed in the “Epstein Files”
US Envoy Witkoff to Convene Security Advisers from Ukraine, UK, France and Germany in Miami as Peace Efforts Intensify
UK Retailers Report Sharp Pre-Christmas Sales Decline and Weak Outlook, CBI Survey Shows
UK Government Rejects Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Aid for Ukraine
UK Financial Conduct Authority Opens Formal Investigation into WH Smith After Accounting Errors
UK Issues Final Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich Over £2.5bn Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine
Rare Pink Fog Sweeps Across Parts of the UK as Met Office Warns of Poor Visibility
UK Police Pledge ‘More Assertive’ Enforcement to Tackle Antisemitism at Protests
UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
UK Says U.S. Tech Deal Talks Still Active Despite Washington’s Suspension of Prosperity Pact
UK Mortgage Rules to Give Greater Flexibility to Borrowers With Irregular Incomes
UK Treasury Moves to Position Britain as Leading Global Hub for Crypto Firms
U.S. Freezes £31 Billion Tech Prosperity Deal With Britain Amid Trade Dispute
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Potential UK Return Gains New Momentum Amid Security Review and Royal Dialogue
Zelensky Opens High-Stakes Peace Talks in Berlin with Trump Envoy and European Leaders
Historical Reflections on Press Freedom Emerge Amid Debate Over Trump’s Media Policies
UK Boosts Protection for Jewish Communities After Sydney Hanukkah Attack
UK Government Declines to Comment After ICC Prosecutor Alleges Britain Threatened to Defund Court Over Israel Arrest Warrant
Apple Shutters All Retail Stores in the United Kingdom Under New National COVID-19 Lockdown
US–UK Technology Partnership Strains as Key Trade Disagreements Emerge
UK Police Confirm No Further Action Over Allegation That Andrew Asked Bodyguard to Investigate Virginia Giuffre
Giuffre Family Expresses Deep Disappointment as UK Police Decline New Inquiry Into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Claims
Transatlantic Trade Ambitions Hit a Snag as UK–US Deal Faces Emerging Challenges
Ex-ICC Prosecutor Alleges UK Threatened to Withdraw Funding Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant Bid
UK Disciplinary Tribunal Clears Carter-Ruck Lawyer of Misconduct in OneCoin Case
‘Pink Ladies’ Emerge as Prominent Face of UK Anti-Immigration Protests
Nigel Farage Says Reform UK Has Become Britain’s Largest Party as Labour Membership Falls Sharply
Google DeepMind and UK Government Launch First Automated AI Lab to Accelerate Scientific Discovery
UK Economy Falters Ahead of Budget as Growth Contracts and Confidence Wanes
Australia Approves Increased Foreign Stake in Strategic Defence Shipbuilder
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson proclaims, “For Ukraine, surrendering their land would be a nightmare.”
Microsoft Challenges £2.1 Billion UK Cloud Licensing Lawsuit at Competition Tribunal
Fake Doctor in Uttar Pradesh Accused of Killing Woman After Performing YouTube-Based Surgery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
Traveling to USA? Homeland Security moving toward requiring foreign travelers to share social media history
UK Officials Push Back at Trump Saying European Leaders ‘Talk Too Much’ About Ukraine
UK Warns of Escalating Cyber Assault Linked to Putin’s State-Backed Operations
UK Consumer Spending Falters in November as Households Hold Back Ahead of Budget
UK Orders Fresh Review of Prince Harry’s Security Status After Formal Request
U.S. Authorises Nvidia to Sell H200 AI Chips to China Under Security Controls
Trump in Direct Assault: European Leaders Are Weak, Immigration a Disaster. Russia Is Strong and Big — and Will Win
"App recommendation" or disguised advertisement? ChatGPT Premium users are furious
"The Great Filtering": Australia Blocks Hundreds of Thousands of Minors From Social Networks
×