Judges Dismiss Lawsuits Accusing Neil Gaiman of Sexual Assault

Federal judges rule cases should be heard in New Zealand, where alleged incidents occurred

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Federal judges have dismissed three lawsuits filed by Scarlett Pavlovich accusing author Neil Gaiman of sexual assault. The cases, initially brought in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York, centered around allegations stemming from Pavlovich's time as the Gaiman family's nanny in New Zealand in 2022. Judges dismissed the cases on jurisdictional grounds, determining that the legal disputes should be resolved in New Zealand, where the alleged assaults occurred.

Why it matters

The dismissal of the U.S. lawsuits complicates Pavlovich's case, requiring her to navigate the New Zealand legal system and potentially face challenges related to evidence and jurisdiction. The case highlights the complexities of international legal jurisdiction in cases involving alleged misconduct occurring across multiple countries.

The details

Scarlett Pavlovich alleged multiple sexual assaults by Neil Gaiman while employed as a nanny to his son. She claimed the assaults began shortly after meeting the couple in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2020. Pavlovich further alleged that Amanda Palmer, Gaiman's wife, was aware of prior allegations against Gaiman and knowingly facilitated the situation. The lawsuits sought at least $7 million in damages, citing violations of federal human trafficking prohibitions.

  • The alleged assaults occurred in 2022 while Pavlovich was employed as the Gaiman family's nanny in New Zealand.
  • The lawsuits were initially filed in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York in 2023.

The players

Scarlett Pavlovich

The nanny who filed the lawsuits accusing Neil Gaiman of sexual assault.

Neil Gaiman

A celebrated author known for his works of science fiction and fantasy, including 'American Gods,' 'The Graveyard Book,' and 'Coraline.'

Amanda Palmer

Neil Gaiman's wife, who was alleged to have known about prior accusations against Gaiman and facilitated the situation with Pavlovich.

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What they’re saying

“Attorneys for Neil Gaiman argued that any relationship between Gaiman and Pavlovich was consensual. They also pointed to a prior investigation by New Zealand police, which they claim found the allegations meritless.”

— Neil Gaiman's attorneys (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Pavlovich could potentially pursue legal action in New Zealand, but the dismissal of the U.S. lawsuits significantly complicates her case, requiring her to navigate the New Zealand legal system and potentially face challenges related to evidence and jurisdiction.

The takeaway

The case highlights the complexities of international legal jurisdiction in cases involving alleged misconduct occurring across multiple countries. The dismissal of the U.S. lawsuits on jurisdictional grounds underscores the importance of resolving such disputes in the country where the alleged incidents took place.