Key Points

A federal judge has ruled that Taylor Swift will not have to sit for a deposition in the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The judge denied Baldoni's request to extend the deadline for Swift's testimony, citing lack of demonstrated good cause. Meanwhile, the court granted Blake Lively's request for a 10-day extension to depose Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios co-founders. Swift's lawyer had previously stated she would only testify if legally forced to do so.

Key Points: Judge Denies Taylor Swift Deposition in Blake Lively Justin Baldoni Case

  • Judge ruled Swift won't testify in Lively vs Baldoni legal battle
  • Justin Baldoni's team sought deposition extension for Swift
  • Blake Lively suing over sexual harassment and retaliation
  • Judge granted Lively's request for deposition extension instead
2 min read

Judge refuses Taylor Swift's deposition in Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni legal battle

Federal judge refuses to extend deadline for Taylor Swift's deposition in Blake Lively's sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.

"The Wayfarer Parties have not similarly demonstrated good cause for their requested extension - Judge Lewis Liman"

Los Angeles, Sep 13

Pop icon Taylor Swift will not have to testify under oath for the ongoing legal battle between Hollywood actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni.

The judge has now ruled that Swift will not be deposed by Justin Baldoni's legal team, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The ‘It Ends With Us’ filmmaker had called on the ‘Karma’ hitmaker to sit for a legal meeting with the singer as part of his legal battle with Blake Lively, who is suing him and his production company Wayferer Studios for sexual harassment and retaliation.

As per ‘Female First UK’, the federal judge overseeing the case has declined a request to extend a deadline so that Taylor Swift can sit for a deposition after the release of her ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ album.

Judge Lewis Liman wrote in a four-page order obtained by ‘Deadline’, “The Wayfarer Parties contend that their requested extension is necessary because Swift’s preexisting professional obligations now prevent her from being deposed within the current discovery window. The Wayfarer Parties have not similarly demonstrated good cause for their requested extension. The only justification they have provided for the extension is their assertion that Swift’s preexisting professional obligations now prevent her from appearing for a deposition prior to October 20, 2025”.

He added, "Importantly, however, the Wayfarer Parties have provided no discussion of when they began attempting to schedule the deposition. Discovery has been ongoing in this case for approximately six months. The Wayfarer Parties previously requested Swift’s deposition in May 2025 before ultimately withdrawing the subpoena. They have offered no evidence that they have served a renewed subpoena on Swift. Thus, at most, the Wayfarer Parties have demonstrated that scheduling the deposition now presents logistical difficulties; that does not answer the question of why the deposition ’could not have been conducted earlier’. Having failed to demonstrate appropriate diligence, the requested extension is denied”.

At the same time, the judge agreed to Blake's request for a 10-day extension on depositions for Justin and his Wayfarer Studios co-founders, Steve Sarowitz and Jamey Heath. Taylor Swift’s lawyer had made it clear that the 35-year-old singer had not agreed to the deposition but would do so "if forced".

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As an Indian law student, I find this judgment quite interesting. The judge rightly pointed out the lack of diligence from Wayfarer's side. You can't just summon celebrities at your convenience - proper procedures matter!
A
Ananya R
Taylor is handling her global tour and new album release - that's enough pressure already. Hollywood legal battles shouldn't disrupt her work schedule. Glad the court recognized this! 💪
M
Michael C
While I support Taylor not being unnecessarily dragged into this, I hope the actual harassment case gets proper attention. Blake Lively's allegations are serious and shouldn't get lost in the celebrity drama.
K
Karthik V
Typical Hollywood nonsense! Trying to use Taylor's fame to distract from the real issue. The judge saw through this tactic. Hope justice is served for whatever actually happened between Blake and Justin.
S
Sarah B
Interesting how the judge gave Blake's side extra time but denied it for Taylor's deposition. Shows where the court's priorities lie - focusing on the actual parties involved rather than celebrity witnesses.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50