London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Feb 20, 2026

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
King Charles III Opens London Fashion Week as Royal Family Faces Fresh Scrutiny
Trump’s Evolving Stance on UK Chagos Islands Deal Draws Renewed Scrutiny
House Democrat Says Former UK Ambassador Unable to Testify in Congressional Epstein Inquiry
No Record of Prince Andrew Arrest in UK as Claims Circulate Online
UK Has Not Granted US Approval to Launch Iran Strikes from RAF Bases, Government Confirms
AI Pricing Pressure Mounts as Chinese Models Undercut US Rivals and Margin Risks Grow
Global Counsel, Advisory Firm Co-Founded by Lord Mandelson, Enters Administration After Client Exodus
London High Court dispute over Ricardo Salinas’s $400mn Elektra share-backed bitcoin loan
UK Intensifies Efforts to Secure Saudi Investment in Next-Generation Fighter Jet Programme
Former Student Files Civil Claim Against UK Authorities After Rape Charges Against Peers Are Dropped
Archer Aviation Chooses Bristol for New UK Engineering Hub to Drive Electric Air Taxi Expansion
UK Sees Surge in Medical Device Testing as Government Pushes Global Competitiveness
UK Competition Watchdog Flags Concerns Over Proposed Getty Images–Shutterstock Merger
Trump Reasserts Opposition to UK Chagos Islands Proposal, Urges Stronger Strategic Alignment
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis advocates for a ban on minors using social media.
Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash Accuses Prime Minister of Lying to Australians
Meanwhile in Time Square, NYC One of the most famous landmarks
Jensen Huang just told the story of how Elon Musk became NVIDIA’s very first customer for their powerful AI supercomputer
A Lunar New Year event in Taiwan briefly came to a halt after a temple official standing beside President Lai Ching‑te suddenly vomited, splashing Lai’s clothing
Jillian Michaels reveals Bill Gates’ $55 million investment in mRNA vaccines turned into over $1 billion.
Ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrested
Former British Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Four Chagos Islanders Establish Permanent Settlement on Atoll
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
UK Inflation Slows Sharply in January, Strengthening Case for Bank of England Rate Cut
Hide the truth, fake the facts, pretend the opposite, Britain is as usual
France President Macron says Free Speech is Bull Sh!t
Viktor Orbán getting massive praise for keeping Hungary safe, rich and migrant-free!
UK Inflation Falls to Ten-Month Low, Markets Anticipate Interest Rate Cut
UK House Prices Climb 2.4% in December as Market Shows Signs of Stabilisation
BAE Systems Predicts Sustained Expansion as Defence Orders Reach Record High
Pro-Palestine Activists Cleared of Burglary Charges Over Break-In at UK Israeli Arms Facility
Former Reform UK Councillors Form New Local Group Amid Party Fragmentation
Reform UK Pledges to Retain Britain’s Budget Watchdog as It Seeks Broader Economic Credibility
Miliband Defends UK-California Clean Energy Pact After Sharp Criticism by Trump
University of Kentucky to Host 2026 Summer Camps Fair Connecting Families with Local Programmes
UK Police Forces Assess Claims Jeffrey Epstein Used Stansted Airport Flights in Trafficking Network
UK-Focused Equity ETF FLGB Climbs to Fresh 52-Week Peak on Strong Market Sentiment
Trump Warns UK’s Chagos Islands Agreement Is a “Big Mistake” Amid Strategic Security Debate
Trump Urges UK to Retain Sovereignty Over Diego Garcia Amid Strategic Concerns
Italian Police Arrest Man After Alleged Attempt to Abduct Toddler at Bergamo Supermarket, Child Hospitalised With Fractured Femur
Rupert Lowe wanted to deport rape gangs and the communities who protected them
Reform UK Appoints Former Conservative Minister Robert Jenrick as Finance Chief
UK Unemployment Rises to Highest in Nearly Five Years as Labour Market Weakens
Rupert Lowe Advocates for English-Only Use in the UK
US Successfully Transports Small Nuclear Reactor from California to Utah
South Korea's traditional sand wrestling sport ssireum faces declining interest at home
Japan outlawed Islam
Virginia Giuffre accuses Epstein of trafficking to powerful men for blackmail.
New Mexico lawmakers initiate investigation into Zorro Ranch linked to Jeffrey Epstein
×