HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY

OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Subject: International Negotiation

THE CIVIL CASE OF JOHNNY DEPP AND

AMBER HEARD
Group: GenZ tập làm đàm phán

Ho Chi Minh, March 2024

 THE CIVIL CASE OF JOHNNY DEPP AND AMBER HEARD

Group: Gen Z tập làm đàm phán

Members:

Nguyễn Đỗ Minh Anh - 21DH703170

Kim Hoàng Phương Anh - 21DH703160

Trần Nguyễn Khanh Ân - 21DH703192

Nguyễn Huế Trâm - 21DH703548

Trần Vũ Phương Vy - 21DH702514

Võ Vinh Huân - 21DH700643

Ma Thị Hồng Loan - 21DH702713

Vòong Thế Hồng - 21DH700638

Đặng Trân

Phạm Thị Xuân Trang - 21DH703545

1. Negotiation strategy

WIN - LOSE
WIN: Johnny Depp
In this negotiation, Johnny Depp chose the "Win-Lose" strategy to receive many
benefits, and Amber Heard had to accept the loss of some benefits. In this strategy,
Johnny Depp will receive:
+ Receive compensation
+ Received many film contracts
+ Protect his honor
LOSE: Amber Heard will have to:
+ Return compensation from previous lawsuits attended by Johnny Depp and Amber
Heard.
+ Pay compensation to Johnny Depp because of her sexual assault accusation
+ Accept the loss of contracts from brands working together and be responsible for
contract compensation.
+ Loss of reputation and trust from the public

2. TARGET, BATNA, ZOPA, AVVE

TARGET
The target here is the honor compensation that Johnny Depp requested from Amber
Heard. This is the amount of money that Johnny Depp wants to receive to end his
divorce with Amber Heard. In this case, Johnny Depp asked for $50 million.
However, Johnny Depp’s wife did not agree with this amount and only accepted 30
million USD.

BATNA
Option 1: $45 million
If Amber doesn’t agree, move to the option 2.
Option 2: $40 million
If Amber agrees, Option 2 will be the BATNA.
If not, move to the option 3.
Option 3: $35 million
If Amber agrees with Option 3, this will be the BATNA.

ZOPA
In this case, when comparing the amount requested by Johnny Depp (50 million USD)
and the amount accepted by his wife (30 million USD), we have a value range of 30
million to 50 million USD. Therefore, the ZOPA is 30-50 million USD.
AVVE
Johnny Depp agrees to let Amber Heard pay him $35 million in compensation and pay
legal bills for a quick, peaceful ending.

3. How to make the opponent “Be ready”

● Get
- Save time and legal fees: Avoid a lengthy and costly court battle.
- Protect both parties' images, reputations, and careers: Maintain a positive
public image and avoid damaging your career prospects.
- Reach a fair and reasonable divorce settlement: Negotiate an agreement that is
beneficial to both parties.
● Lose
- Lose public sympathy: Public opinion may turn against her due to her
perceived unwillingness to compromise.
- Risk exposure of negative information: Johnny Depp may use evidence and
information gathered during the litigation to damage her reputation.
- Prolong the divorce process: Delaying the resolution of the divorce may
negatively impact her film projects and business ventures.
● Face
- Lose valuable assets: She may have to give up assets such as houses, cars, or
company shares.
- Damage her reputation and career: Public disclosure of her past wrongdoings
may negatively impact her image and career opportunities.

4. How to run “GET STARTED”

Ice-breaking activity: Lunch at a private restaurant in the United States.

Participating Parties:

● For Amber Heard: Lawyer, manager, media representative, close friend.

● For Johnny Depp: Lawyer, manager, media representative, close friend.

Location: 2941 Private Restaurant, Virginia, United States.

Time: 3 days (March 20th - 22nd, 2024)
Activities:

● Day 1: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Both sides agreed to resolve the marital conflict and
avoid going to court.
● Day 2: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Planning for asset division.
 ● Day 3: 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Determining the compensation amount for
damages.

Goodwill: Hoping that we will end in peace. Humans are finite, pain should not be
prolonged. Let's resolve everything as soon as possible.

5. How to utilize negotiation tactics

● Challenge Price: Johnny Depp asks his wife to pay $150 million. But actually,
he just needs $50-80 million from his wife. This tactic might make his wife
afraid and ask for a reduction to the amount of $50-80 million which meets his
expectations.

● Gnawing: Instead of $50 million in cash, convert into $20 million in cash, $10
million in real estate, $10 million in common assets, and $10 million in stocks.
This tactic creates diversity in resolving the dispute and makes it easier for the
other party to agree because it offers more options to meet financial needs.

● Exit warning: If Amber Heard doesn’t pay $50 million, they will go to court to
settle it. This tactic might make his wife afraid of losing more properties when
the case takes place in court.

6. Determine barriers & mistakes

- Barriers:
1. Recalcitrance:

Amber Heard remains stubborn and refuses to pay her husband $50 million in
compensation after her husband affirmed that he had never beaten her with evidence.

2. Lack of trust:

Amber Heard can not believe that Johnny Depp will maintain a good image for her.

- Mistakes:
1. Over Confident:

Johnny Depp might be overconfident in his evidence and underestimated Amber

Heard who can portray herself as a victim, leverage feminism to lie to get empathy.

2. Uncontrollable Emotions

Both sides were angry and lashed out at their opponents.