Johnny Depp reaches settlement with Amber Heard

The lawyers of Johnny Depp have spoke up after the actor reached a settlement with his ex-wife Amber Heard after their explosive defamation suit.

Following the trial where the Pirates of the Caribbean sued Heard for her 2018 Washington Post op-ed, where she accused Depp of physical and sexual violence, the jury found the decision in his favour and was awarded with $8million with Heard getting $1million in damages.

While they requested an appeal, the latest on their case is that they have now reached a settlement.

Depp’s lawyers, Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, issued a statement after the settlement.

"We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light," it read.

"The jury’s unanimous decision and the resulting judgment in Mr Depp’s favour against Ms Heard remain fully in place.

"The payment of one million dollars – which Mr Depp is pledging and will donate to charities – reinforces Ms Heard’s acknowledgement of the conclusion of the legal system’s rigorous pursuit for justice."

Meanwhile Heard took to Instagram and wrote: "It’s important for me to say that I never chose this. I defended my truth and in doing do my life as I knew it was destroyed."

"The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are re-victimized when they come forward. Now I finally have an opportunity to emancipate myself from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can agree to.

"I have made no admission. This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward.

"Time is precious and I want to spend my time productively and purposefully, 

"For too many years I have been caged in an arduous and expensive legal process, which has shown itself unable to protect me and my right to free speech. I cannot afford to risk an impossible bill – one that is not just financial, but also psychological, physical and emotional.

"Women shouldn’t have to face abuse or bankruptcy for speaking her truth, but unfortunately it is not uncommon. In settling this case I am also choosing the freedom to dictate my time to the work that helped me heal after my divorce; work that exists in realms in which I feel seen, heard and believed, and in which I know I can effect change.

"I will not be threatened, disheartened or dissuaded by what happened from speaking the truth. No one can and no one will take that from me. My voice forever remains the most valuable asset I have.

"I’d like to thank my outstanding appellate and original trial teams for their relentless hard work. I want to thank everyone who has supported me and I turn my attention to the growing support that I’ve felt and seen publicly in the months since trial, and the efforts that have been made to show solidarity with my story.

"Any survivor knows that the ability to tell their story often feels like the only relief, and I cannot find enough words to tell you the hope your belief in me inspires, not just for me, but for all of you."