The Defamation Act 1996 (c. 31) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
Provisions The act provides an innocent dissemination defence.
The act provides an "offer of amends" procedure to allow a defendant who has simply made an honest mistake or is unable to defend the libel claim to admit liability.
The act was fully implemented in February 2000.
Commencement The following orders have been made under this section: The Defamation Act 1996 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1999 (SI 1999/817 (C. 26)) The Defamation Act 1996 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2000 (SI 2000/222 (C. 7)) The Defamation Act 1996 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provision) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/98 (C. 3) The Defamation Act 1996 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2009 (SI 2009/2858 (C. 125))
See also Defamation Act English defamation law
Notes
References
Claire Sandford and Fiona Boyle. The Defamation Act 1996: The New Law. (Impact Series). Northumbria Law Press. Newcastle. 1997. "Defamation Act 1996". Halsbury's Statutes of England and Wales. Fourth Edition. 2009 Reissue. LexisNexis. Volume 19(3). Page 398. See also Preliminary Note at page 352. Brian Hepworth. "Defamation Act 1996". Current Law Statutes 1996. Sweet & Maxwell. London. W Green. Edinburgh. 1997. Volume 2: . Chapter 31. "Defamation Act 1996" (1997) 15 International Media Law 6 WorldCat Bayfield, "Defamation Act 1996" (1996) 140 Solicitors Journal 866 (13 September 1996) Braithwaite, "The United Kingdom Defamation Act 1996" (1997) 15 Communications Lawyer 12 HeinOnline Google Books Williams, "Only Flattery Is Safe: Political Speech and the Defamation Act 1996" (1997) 60 Modern Law Review 388 JSTOR Sharland and Loveland, "The Defamation Act 1996 and Political Libels" Public Law 113
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