Johnny Depp libel case: Ex-wife Amber Heard recorded talking about hitting Pirates of the Caribbean star, court hears

Johnny Depp is suing a British tabloid for libel. Photo / AP

Audio recordings said to feature Johnny Depp's ex-wife talking about her hitting him are to feature in a high-profile trial.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star is suing British tabloid newspaper The Sun for libel over an article claiming he was violent and abusive to film actress Amber Heard and referring to him as a "wife-beater".

His lawyer David Sherborne told a pre-trial hearing that the audio includes Heard, 33, talking about her being violent to Depp.

It "demonstrates in her own voice that she was not a victim... rather that she was the aggressor". At one point she says no one would believe Depp if he claimed to be a victim of domestic violence, the lawyer told the court.

Justice Nicol ordered Depp, 55, to hand over the recordings but refused an application from The Sun's publishers for the disclosure of texts Depp sent to a friend, British actor Paul Bettany.

Johnny Depp, centre, leaves the High Court in London, after attending a preliminary hearing in his libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton. Photo / AP

Lawyers for the paper said these were "very damaging" to Depp and included him saying: "Let's burn Amber."

The trial, set to last 10 days, is due to start in the High Court in London on March 23. The publisher aims to prove the article was true and that Depp "beat his wife Amber Heard".

WHERE TO GET HELP

If you're suffering family violence and in immediate danger, call the police on 111 or scream so your neighbours can hear you.

For more information:

• Women's Refuge: Free 24/7 national crisis line - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz.

• Shine: Free national helpline 9am- 11pm daily - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz.

&bull: It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 or www.areyouok.org.nz

• Shakti: 24/7 crisis line offering specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children - 0800 742 584.