The court has now retired to consider its verdict, and is set to unveil its decision on 8 September.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 7:40 pm
As Paris awaits the verdict, we're heading home. We'll check in with any breaking news. And be sure to check ELLEuk.com tomorrow morning for a round-up of Galliano's day in court.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 7:04 pm
The court admonishes Galliano for not owning up to his actions and instead blaming his 'shadow,' but praises his appearance before the tribunal, which the magistrates consider 'courageous' given that Galliano's presence was not required.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 6:49pm
The court is back in session.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 6:33pm
The judges have left the courtroom for a 15-minute recess.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 6:25pm
The magistrates called John Galliano to the stand for a final statement. He says that if the court considers his body of work, they will see that he embraces every creed and cultural diversity. He continues to say something about having spent time with a Masai tribe.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 6:05pm
A witness—the day’s final one?—takes to the stand to say that when he saw how messed up Galliano was, he tried to get the designer out of the bar and take him home.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 5:45pm
A witness for the plaintiff says that Galliano insulted his girlfriend.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 5:38pm::
Galliano says: 'I apologise for all the sadness this affair has caused.'
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 5:32pm:
Galliano is making a statement. He says that the version of himself he sees in the video is someone who is vulnerable and who requires help, a 'shell' of himself. France24's reporter quotes Galliano as saying, 'I have all my life fought against prejudice, having been subjected to it myself.'
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 5:19pm:
The courtroom just watched the video of Galliano's remarks, and the judge is currently reading a transcript.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 5:10pm:
A witness for the defence says she did not hear any anti-Semitic remarks at La Perle. She says she decided to testify because, 'I thought it was so disproportionate and shocking he lost his job.'
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 4:42pm:
Plaintiff Geraldine Bloch takes the stand. 'I didn't want this incident to create such a media storm. I just thought I had no other choice,' she says. She states that the designer called her 'dirty Jewish face.'
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 4:16pm:
Galliano testifies: 'At the time of the financial crash, I have two children. One was Dior, the other was Galliano. Dior is a big machine and I didn’t want to lose Galliano [the eponymous label]. At this point in order for that house of Galliano to survive, I met many businessmen and signed many licences. So the collections to increase men’s wear, women's, children, shoes boys and girls, perfume projects, jewellery, fine jewellery. Beach wear underwear, boys and girl's clothes. The workload increased very fast.'
Read our March 4 story about extreme fashion workloads
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22 at 4:00pm::
Galliano says, 'I'm still in recovery but feeling much better.'
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22, 3:39pm:
Galliano says he was addicted to a mix of sleeping pills, alcohol and valium. Courtroom sources say that Galliano said he began drinking regularly in 2007, because Dior was doing well, and drinking helped him escape the crashes that came after each creative high.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22, 3:35pm:
Sources report that John Galliano says he doesn't remember the events of Feb. 24, but that one of the plaintiffs was aggressive towards him. In response to the judge's question about why he does not remember the alleged remarks, Galliano says that he is a recovering drug addict.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22, 3:28pm:
The judge is addressing Galliano, asking if he remembers saying the alleged slurs. Galliano responds that he has no recollection.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22, 3:12pm:
The Telegraph reports that the judge read the charges: 'public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity.' A Twitter user said the judge went on to read the alleged slurs, to some uncomfortable laughter in the courtroom.
UPDATED Wednesday, June 22, 3:08pm:
Plaintiff Geraldine Bloch is seeking just one euro in compensation on moral grounds. 'What we are after is an expression of regret and excuses for what has happened,' her lawyer said on the courthouse steps before entering for the trial.
Her partner, Philippe Virgitti, is pursuing compensation on the basis of 'moral damage.' His lawyer said: 'Unfortunately Mr Galliano doesn't seem to have a code of honour, so my client feels the only way to reach him is through his wallet.'
UPDATED Wednesday June 22, 2:55pm:
John Galliano has arrived in the courtroom at Paris's Palais de Justice, dressed in a black three-piece suit with black brogues and a black-and-white polka-dotted neckerchief. He removed his fedora upon entering the courtroom.
Designer John Galliano is due in court in Paris this afternoon.
Back in February all talk was of John Galliano after the designer was arrested, and then charged, after an altercation with a couple in a Parisian bar. The ensuing scandal resulted in his contract with Dior being terminated and, ever since, Galliano is widely believed to have been in rehab battling an addiction to alcohol and pills. This afternoon, however, he's expected to make his first public appearance as his trial is due to begin.
The hearing, set to start in Paris at 2.30pm BST, will look at the charges of anti-Semitism and is expected to last for up to five hours - although the outcome may not be revealed until September.
Rumours are currently flying that Galliano will point to his addictions as the reason for his behaviour in an effort to avoid a possible six months in jail.
We'll be keeping you updated on all the latest news as the afternoon goes on...
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