b'A case of civil libelMarsden v CampbellFrederick Garling was highly regarded for his legal expertiseIndigenous people. Campbell was the official censor of the as well as his public spirit and generosity. He representedcolonys newspaper and Marsden believed he was responsible some of the most intriguing characters in the colony. Infor the libel. 1817, a few months into his legal training, George Allen found himself supporting Garling in one of the first civilGarling represented Campbell, whose defence was that libel cases in Australia.his conduct was a reasonable oversight, resulting from both his preoccupation with more pressing matters of John Thomas Campbell was secretary to Governor Lachlanpublic office and his enthusiasm to see the matter of the Macquarie and well known in the colony. He was charged withmisappropriated funds revived publicly.having libelled Reverend Samuel Marsden by allowing the publication of a letter to the editor of The Sydney Gazette andThe trial was held in the criminal court over three daysNew South Wales Advertiser, published under the pseudonymand was reported on at length. At the conclusion of the trial, Philo Free. The Gazette was the colonys first newspaper, andCampbell was found to have permitted a public letter to be the only one in publication at the time. Campbells dutiesprinted which tended to vilify the public conduct of the included censoring the content of each edition. prosecutor [Mr Marsden]. However, the jurys verdict was neither guilty nor not guilty due to technical issues with the Marsden was a divisive character whose manner andway the trial was run. Subsequently the criminal case was methods were widely questioned in the colony. The sarcasticdismissed. Dissatisfied with the outcome and angered by letter obliquely accused Marsden of engaging in a range ofthe newspaper reports, Marsden filed a claim for civil libel in wrongful conduct: misappropriating funds intended for anthe civil court. At the civil trial, the court found in Marsdens evangelical mission to New Zealand, introducing alcohol tofavour and he was awarded 200 in damages. This time, the the local community, and neglecting the needs of thenewspaper did not publish any mention of the trial.A few months into his legal training,George Allen found himself supporting Frederick Garlingin one of the first civil libel cases in Australia.10'