Table of Contents

1: Introduction and Background
2: Requirement of Serious Harm
3: The New Statutory Defence of Truth
4: The New Statutory Defence of Honest Opinion
5: Publication on Matter of Public Interest
6: The New Defence for Operators of Websites
7: Peer-reviewed Statements in Scientific or Academic Journals
8: Reports Protected by Privilege
9: The Single Publication Rule
10: Actions Against Non-domiciled Persons
11: Actions against Secondary Publishers and Orders to Remove the Statement or Cease Distributing
12: Trial to be Without a Jury Unless the Court Orders Otherwise
13: Court's Power to Order a Summary of its Judgment to be Published
14: Special Damage
Appendix 1: Defamation Act 2013
Appendix 2: Defamation Act 1996 Schedule 1, as amended by Defamation Act 2013

About the Author

Written by a team of expert authors from 5RB, edited by James Price QC and Felicity McMahon

James Price QC is noted for his depth of knowledge in the defamation area. He has been involved in a wide array of cases over the years, including Reynolds v Times Newspapers and Max Mosley v News Group Newspapers. Instructing solicitors said of him: "He's seen it all over the years. He's just a very articulate, straightforward advocate who is a wonderfully rational thinker."
Felicity McMahon is a barrister at 5RB practising in media law, including defamation, privacy and confidence, pre-publications/broadcast advice, contempt, copyright and data protection. Prior to joining 5RB, Felicity worked at the Ministry of Justice and at the Law Commission. While at the Ministry of Justice, she coordinated the Department's response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Report on Press Standards, Privacy and Libel.