THE $150,000 FACEBOOK POST

The Cost of a Click: Alex Nelson and the $150,000 Verdict

A Masterclass in Reputation Vindication and the "Grapevine Effect"

In the digital age, a single Facebook post can travel further and sting deeper than any physical weapon. This was the harsh reality for Tristan Moy, an Australian wedding planner whose livelihood in Bali was nearly dismantled by a coordinated campaign of online vitriol. However, the "Bali Wedding Planner" case—Moy v Isaac & Smith—stands today as a landmark warning to social media trolls, thanks in no small part to the surgical litigation of Brisbane Barrister, Alex Nelson.

The facts were as messy as they were malicious. Two women, driven by motives the court questioned as potentially competitive, unleashed a series of defamatory slurs across bridal groups. They accused Moy of sabotage and professional ruin—claims that were not only baseless but "irretrievably damaging."

Representing the plaintiff, Alex Nelson navigated the complexities of the "grapevine effect"— the legal recognition that digital poison spreads rapidly and unpredictably. His preparation and strategic execution in the Magistrates Court of Queensland led to a resounding victory: a $150,000 judgment in damages, including aggravated damages to compensate for the personal distress and business injury inflicted.

"Preparation and planning are the keys to a successful outcome... whether it is in the pleadings or trials before a jury." — Alex Nelson

This wasn't just a win for one wedding planner; it was a vindication of reputation in the face of "no shenanigans" litigation. Nelson’s ability to apply the law to the chaotic world of social media reviews has set a high bar for digital accountability in Australia.

Counsel Profile: Alex Nelson

With over 25 years of litigation experience, Alex Nelson is a formidable presence in the Queensland Bar. His career began in the disciplined ranks of the Australian Army as a Legal Officer, where he honed his skills prosecuting and defending in military courts. This foundation of rigour and precision transitioned seamlessly into private practice and his eventual call to the Bar in 2010.

Beyond the Moy case, Nelson’s track record is a litany of high-stakes successes:

• Defamation Specialist: Secured $215,000 in Hockings v Lynch & Adams and successfully appealed in Clive Palmer v Malcolm Turnbull, a pivotal case regarding foreign law pleadings.
• Criminal Defense: Achieved acquittals for Murder and Manslaughter, and famously reduced a 20-year sentence to 13 years after obtaining leave to appeal 12 years out of time.
• The "No Shenanigans" Case: Obtained judgment against five defendants in the Supreme Court for non-compliance, proving his intolerance for procedural games.

Based at 95 North Quay, Brisbane, Alex Nelson remains the go-to counsel for those facing defamation disputes, serious criminal charges, or complex family provision claims.