An Australian paparazzi and his London-based photographic agency is being sued by British actress Sienna Miller who claims they have made her life "intolerable".
The actress has launched the landmark case against Darryn Lyons and his Big Pictures (UK) agency in Britain's High Court in a bid to seek compensation and an injunction against Lyons' photographers.
Lyons, who grew up in the Victorian town of Geelong, and his agency are accused of conducting a "campaign of harassment" against the actress.
She claims that in the past four months she has been subjected to physical and verbal abuse and chased by Lyons' photographers in cars.
Media law experts say that if Miller wins the case it could pave the way for a flood of similar legal claims for harassment and breach of privacy by other celebrities.
Lyons says he and his agency will contest Miller's claims in court. The case is expected to be heard in full later this year.
The 42-year-old photographer left Australia for London about 20 years ago.
Since then, the former Fleet Street photographer has set up his own agency which has become the biggest celebrity photographic agency in the world.
Miller, who has starred in movies including Alfie and is the ex-girlfriend of British actor Jude Law, has accused Lyons' photographers of confronting her outside her London home and chasing her in cars and while walking her dog in a park.
