Overview

This paper sets out for consultation a draft Defamation Bill containing proposals for legislation, together with a number of other issues on which views are sought for possible inclusion in the Bill.

The consultation is aimed at a wide range of people and organisations with an interest in the law on defamation, including individuals involved in defamation proceedings, non-governmental organisations, the legal profession, the media and publishing industry, the scientific and academic community, and internet-based organisations in England and Wales.

Issues included in the draft Bill are as follows:

• A new requirement that a statement must have caused substantial harm in order for it to be defamatory;

• A new statutory defence of responsible publication on matters of public interest; and

• A statutory defence of truth (replacing the current common law defence of justification).

To read more click ‘view briefing’.