Defamation Act 1996
Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
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The Defamation Act 1996[a] (c. 31) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
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Long titleAn Act to amend the law of defamation and to amend the law of limitation with respect to actions for defamation or malicious falsehood.
Territorial extent[b]
- England and Wales (in part)
- Scotland (in part)
- Northern Ireland (in part)
Royal assent4 July 1996
| Act of Parliament | |||||||||
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| Long title | An Act to amend the law of defamation and to amend the law of limitation with respect to actions for defamation or malicious falsehood. | ||||||||
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| Citation | 1996 c. 31 | ||||||||
| Territorial extent |
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| Dates | |||||||||
| Royal assent | 4 July 1996 | ||||||||
| Commencement | various[c] | ||||||||
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Status: Amended | |||||||||
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |||||||||
| Revised text of statute as amended | |||||||||
| Text of the Defamation Act 1996 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |||||||||
Provisions
The act provides an innocent dissemination defence.[1]
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.[2]
The act was fully implemented in February 2000.[3]
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))