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 Depp, the 57-year-old star of
the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, is suing
The Sun's publisher, News Group Newspapers, and
its executive editor, Dan Wootton, for libel
over an article Wootton wrote in April 2018
calling him a "wife beater".
Depp's lawyer David Sherborne said in a written
opening statement to London's High Court, where
both actors were seen arriving earlier, that the
libel case involved "well-known actor Johnny
Depp" and "allegations that he seriously
physically assaulted his former wife, the
actress, Amber Heard".
"Not just once but on at least 14 different
occasions it is now said, causing her such
serious injuries and being so violent that it
led Ms Heard to fear for her very life,"
Sherborne said.
He said Heard had first aired the allegations in
May 2016 when she obtained a restraining order
against Depp at a Los Angeles court when she
appeared to have bruises on her face caused in
an incident six days earlier.
"There is a substantial body of evidence ...
which clearly demonstrates that this was a lie
manufactured by Ms Heard and her friends,"
Sherborne said.
In papers submitted to the court, Depp's team
also said Heard had begun an affair with Tesla
chief executive Elon Musk in early 2015 shortly
after they had got married and had engaged in at
least one extra-marital relationship with her
co-stars, with actor James Franco named.
The case is set to last for three weeks, the
judge, Andrew Nicol, said. Depp took the stand
at the beginning of the trial and Heard is also
expected to give evidence.
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 Depp, wearing a dark suit and
glasses and speaking in a deep clear tone, was
asked about transcripts and recordings made of
discussions and arguments between them.
"I have a tendency to talk quietly," Depp said
when his lawyer reminded him about the wood-panelled
court's poor acoustics.
Lawyers for The Sun said in their opening
written statement that: "The Defendants will
demonstrate that the description of Mr Depp as a
'wife beater' is entirely accurate and truthful.
"They will show that the sting of the articles
is correct – namely that the claimant beat his
wife Amber Heard causing her to suffer
significant injury and on occasion leading to
her fearing for her life," they said.
The couple met on the set of the 2011 film "The
Rum Diary" and married in February 2015. Heard
filed for divorce after 15 months and days later
obtained a restraining order against Depp. She
has accused him of physical abuse during their
relationship, allegations he denies.
Their divorce was finalised in 2017 when the
restraining order was dismissed and Depp agreed
to pay Heard a previously announced sum of $7
million.
(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Mike
Collett-White and Ed Osmond)
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