Guy SebastianA year after jurors acquitted Titus Day of four charges but remained deadlocked on the remaining charges against him, Guy Sebastian and his former manager have settled their long-running legal dispute.
Day managed Sebastian over a decade, from 2007 to 2017, first via the agency 22 Management and then through his own company, 6 Degrees. They reportedly severed ties on bad terms in 2017 and began civil proceedings shortly thereafter, when Sebastian alleged that Day had embezzled $620,000 of performance fees from him between 2013 and 2020.
In 2022, Day was sentenced to four years in jail after being found guilty on 34 of the 47 charges against him. He was later released from jail, and in 2024, his convictions were quashed upon appeal, and he was awarded close to $1m in compensation.
A retrial began last year, which resulted in a hung jury with partial acquittal for Day on four charges. Now, the pair have finally settled, with Day admitting that he would have done things differently if he had his time again regarding the dispute.
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“This statement relates to an ongoing legal and commercial dispute between Guy Sebastian and me, whom I managed as a performing artist for 11 and a half years. The dispute has now been going on for the better part of 9 years,” Day’s statement began.
It continued, “During the time when I was managing Guy, and after it, I made a number of regrettable decisions which have had painful consequences, not only for me and my family, but also for Guy and his family.
“I acknowledge that, long before any criminal investigation, charges or trials, Guy attempted to settle with me on what I now consider to be incredibly fair terms. I would do things differently if I had my time again.
“At an early stage in the dispute, I should have been more reasonable and less emotional, which I have no doubt would have led to a swifter and more conciliatory outcome. I take full responsibility for this.”
Day admitted that, upon reflection of his last years as Sebastian’s manager, he had “become a poor steward of Guy's income, including income that my company continued to receive after Guy left my management company in late 2017.”
He continued, “There were many instances in which payments that should have been passed on to Guy, were not. My management company's failure to properly account for and pass on those payments to Guy was the result of my mistake.
“I accept that my failures at that time had a serious and regrettable impact on Guy and his family, for which I apologise.”
Day wrote that he and Sebastian have come to an agreement to end their legal dispute, while sharing his acknowledgement and regret over “the impact that the ongoing dispute must have had on Guy and his family, including the impact of being a witness in the protracted criminal proceedings.”
His statement concluded, “I thank Guy for his willingness to discontinue the civil legal proceedings against me and allow each of us and our families to move on from the dispute.
“I look forward to moving on with my life now, and I am sure Guy and his family do as well.”
Sebastian’s lawyer, Mark Faraday, added that he’s “pleased” that Sebastian and Day have “reached a compromise in respect of Guy's significant Federal Court claim.”
Faraday continued, “Today's statement from Mr Day speaks for itself. It contains a clear apology, an acceptance of responsibility and an acknowledgement that payments owed to Guy were not passed on.
“As stated by Mr Day, my client was willing to resolve this matter very early, and on incredibly fair terms. A private resolution has always been Guy's preference. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and the matter took many unexpected turns over a long period of time.”
Adding that Sebastian was hoping to have a private resolution “much sooner” but was happy that “the parties have finally arrived at a place where they can all move on,” Faraday said that the singer “genuinely wishes Mr Day and his family better times ahead.”
In a statement of his own, Sebastian thanked his legal team for their work, his family, and loved ones for their support. He also reiterated Faraday’s point that he’s found forgiveness for Day and wishes him well.
“I'm pleased to confirm that my long-running Federal Court claim with Titus Day has now been resolved,” Sebastian’s statement began.
It continued, “My lawyer, Mark Faraday, has already shared my thoughts on the resolution, but I'd be remiss if I didn't personally thank the people who stood by me throughout this incredibly challenging period.
“Firstly, my outstanding legal team. Richard Scruby SC, Mark Faraday, Sarah Harris and everyone at Henry William Lawyers. Thank you not only for your skill and attention to detail, but also for your loyalty, encouragement and friendship throughout this process.
“To my beautiful family, my mates and my team, especially Lauren Stamper, George Said, Jennifer Fontaine and Angela Ceberano, thank you for carrying me through it. Rebecca Oxenbould, the way you helped me piece everything together was invaluable. I genuinely couldn't have done it without you.”
His statement concluded, “I know this impacted a lot of people around me, but I believed it was something I couldn't walk away from.
“I never could have imagined the twists and turns this ordeal would take. With the accountability shown and the apology Mr Day has provided in his statement, I am prepared to put aside my claim against him, forgive, and move forward.
“As Mark said, I wish everyone involved happier times ahead.”
