Publication

This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Defamation Bill. Significant areas of debate at the Committee Stage included: the treatment of operators of websites; the public interest defense; actions in respect of deceased persons; and potential restrictions on corporations bringing actions for defamation. The only substantive amendments to the Bill were to the provisions relating to commencement and territorial extent. Significantly, the amendments extend provisions relating to certain defenses to Scotland. Other than minor consequential amendments, the remainder of the provisions would only apply in England and Wales.