Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake sue British tabloid Heat for defamation in Irish court

DUBLIN, Ireland, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Superstar celebrity couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have each filed separate defamation suits in Irish court against British gossip magazine Heat.

"We have issued defamation proceedings [against Germany-based Bauer Media Group] on behalf of our clients, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, in relation to an article and a headline in [British tabloid] Heat magazine," Paul Tweed, attorney for Timberlake and Biel, said in a statement.

The article in question features an unauthorized picture of the couple as well as quotes attributed to Biel the actress denies saying. Due to the nature of the lawsuit, the media is not allowed to report on the specific content of the article.

Despite filing suit against a British tabloid with German publishers, Timberlake and Biel are seeking action in the High Court in Dublin because they have been advised it will provide a swifter verdict, and Heat's wide publication in the European nation allows the Americans to turn to Ireland for justice.

"We are suing in Ireland in relation to publication in all jurisdictions, as our clients are entitled to do."