Park City, Utah: Gwyneth Paltrow has won her court battle over a 2016 ski collision at a posh Utah ski resort after a jury decided that the movie star was not at fault for the crash. A jury dismissed the complaint of a retired optometrist who sued Paltrow over injuries he sustained when the two crashed on a beginner run at Deer Valley ski resort, siding with Paltrow after eight days of livestreamed courtroom testimony that made the case a pop culture fixation.

Paltrow, an actor who in recent years has refashioned herself into a celebrity wellness entrepreneur, looked to her attorneys with a pursed lip smile when the judge read the eight-member jury’s verdict in the Park City courtroom. She sat intently through two weeks of testimony in what became the biggest celebrity court case since actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard faced off last year.

The dismissal concludes two weeks of courtroom proceedings that hinged largely on reputation rather than the monetary damages at stake in the case. Paltrow’s attorneys described the complaint against her as “utter BS” and painted the Goop founder-CEO as uniquely vulnerable to unfair, frivolous lawsuits due to her celebrity.

Paltrow took the witness stand during the trial to insist the collision was not her fault and to describe how she was stunned when she felt a body pressing against her and a “very strange grunting noise”. Attorney Steve Owens takes the court through his presents his closing argument arguing his client Gwyneth Paltrow did not run into the 76-year-old man suing her. Credit: AP

Throughout the trial, the word “uphill” became synonymous with “guilty” as lawyers focused on a largely unknown skiing code of conduct that stipulates that the skier who is downhill or ahead on the slope has the right of way. Worldwide audiences followed the celebrity trial as if it were episodic television, scrutinising both Paltrow and Sanderson’s motives while attorneys directed questions to witnesses that often had less to do with the collision and more to do with their clients’ reputations.

The trial took place in Park City, a resort town known for hosting the annual Sundance Film Festival where early in her career Paltrow would appear for the premieres of her movies including 1998’s Sliding Doors at a time when she was known primarily as an actor not a lifestyle influencer. Paltrow is also known for her roles in Shakespeare in Love and the Iron Man movies.

The jury’s decision marks a painful court defeat for Terry Sanderson, the man who sued Paltrow for more than $300,000 over injuries he sustained when they crashed on a beginner run. Both parties blamed the other for the collision. Sanderson, 76, broke four ribs and sustained a concussion after the two tumbled down the slope with Paltrow landing on top of him. He filed an amended complaint after an earlier $31 million lawsuit was dismissed.

Paltrow, in response, countersued for $1 and attorney fees, a symbolic action that mirrors Taylor Swift’s response to a radio host’s defamation lawsuit. Swift was awarded $1 in 2017.

Paltrow’s defence team tried to paint Sanderson as an “angry, ageing and unsympathetic man” who had, over the years, become obsessed with his lawsuit against Paltrow. They argued that Paltrow was not at fault in the crash, and also said, regardless of blame, that Sanderson was overstating the extent of his injuries.

The Park City court case between Gwyneth Paltrow and retired optometrist Terry Sanderson has been a source of fascination for fans of the celebrity lifestyle and avid skiers alike. The case not only tested the court’s determination of guilt but also explored the nuances of a unique skiing code of conduct and the lengths one will go to protect their reputation.

The trial lasted two weeks and was filled with courtroom theatrics and legal wrangling, ultimately culminating in a jury’s decision to dismiss Sanderson’s complaint and award Paltrow with a symbolic victory.

The case has been widely discussed in the media and on social media, and is being seen as a victory for Paltrow’s supporters, who are celebrating the actor’s legal victory and her ability to protect her reputation.

For Paltrow, who has become a symbol of celebrity wellness and lifestyle in recent years, the court case was a reminder that her celebrity status makes her a target for baseless and frivolous lawsuits. The case also serves as an example of how even the most high-profile celebrities can be held to the same standards of conduct and legality as any other person in a court of law.

The court’s dismissal of the case marks the end of a long and arduous legal battle. While Paltrow may not have received the monetary compensation she was seeking, she has certainly won a legal victory and the respect of her fans.

The case of Gwyneth Paltrow vs. Terry Sanderson is a case study in the power of celebrity, reputation and the law. The ruling has been praised by legal experts, and the case has been hailed as a victory for celebrities who find themselves the target of frivolous lawsuits.

While the legal battle between Paltrow and Sanderson may be over, the case will continue to be discussed for years to come. It serves as an example of how the law can provide a measure of justice even in cases involving celebrities, and how to navigate the delicate balance between reputation and legal rights.