ABSTRACT
Please note that in May 2012 a Defamation Bill was introduced into Parliament. If passed, this statute will make significant changes to the law represented in questions 34, 35, 36 and 37, to include: a requirement that the defamatory statement causes serious harm; new statutory defences; and a move away from jury trial. Students should therefore check the current status of this legislation, as in its final form it is likely to have considerable impact on this area of law.
