Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill

Author: Angus Evans and Abigail Bremner

PDF Published: Wednesday 11 Mar 2020 (SB 20-22)

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Overview
Report

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Overview
Report
- The main issues
- Terminology
- The Bill - important dates and documents
- What are the Bill's main objectives?
- Balancing human rights
- What is the background to the Bill?
  - Reform in England and Wales
  - Most of the English reforms were not followed in Scotland
  - Scottish Law Commission review
  - Justice Committee work and Scottish Government consultation
- What exactly are defamation and verbal injury?
- Defamation - what are the sources of law?
- Online content and free speech
  - The current law limits the liability of internet intermediaries for defamation
  - The "take-down" procedure in England and Wales
  - The SLC recommendations for online content
- Defamation - summary of the main legal principles
  - How is defamation defined in law?
  - The presumptions of falsehood and malice - there is no need for intention to defame
  - No need for communication to third parties
  - No threshold for harm before court action for defamation can be raised
  - Who can bring a defamation action?
  - Which courts can deal with defamation actions?
  - Cut-off periods for actions and the multiple publication rule
  - What costs are involved in bringing and defending defamation actions?
  - What are the defences to a defamation action?
    
    Truth or "veritas"
    
    Fair comment
    
    Public interest
    
    Absolute and qualified privilege
    
    Absolute privilege
    
    Qualified Privilege
    
    Internet intermediaries
  - Defamation - what legal remedies exist?
- Defamation - what would the Bill change?
  - Statutory definition of defamation
  - Need for communication to a third party
  - Introduction of a serious harm threshold
  - Bodies trading for profit and serious harm
  - Single publication rule and one year limitation period
  - Public authorities
  - Secondary publishers and internet intermediaries
  - Defences
  - Privileged publication
  - Remedies
  - Jurisdiction
  - Defamation of deceased people
- Verbal injury - what are the main legal principles?
- Verbal injury - what would the Bill change?
- Brexit
- The main issues
- Terminology
- The Bill - important dates and documents
- What are the Bill's main objectives?
- Balancing human rights
- What is the background to the Bill?
- What exactly are defamation and verbal injury?
- Defamation - what are the sources of law?
- Online content and free speech
- Defamation - summary of the main legal principles
- Defamation - what would the Bill change?
- Verbal injury - what are the main legal principles?
- Verbal injury - what would the Bill change?
- Brexit
Sources

Infographic showing the current law and the main changes proposed by the Bill.

Image: The main issues …

Scottish Parliament. (2020). Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill [as introduced] SP Bill 61. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61S052019.pdf [accessed 10 March 2020]

Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill - Policy Memorandum. (2020). SP Bill 61-PM. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61PMS052019.pdf [accessed 10 March 2020]

Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill. (n.d.) SP Bill 61-FM. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61FMS052019.pdf [accessed 10 March 2020]

Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill. (2020). SP Bill 61-EN. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61ENS052019(1).pdf [accessed 10 March 2020]

Scottish Parliament. (2019, December 2). Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61PMS052019.pdf [accessed 22 January 2020]

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Scottish Parliament. (2020, December 2). Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum (para. 32). Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61PMS052019.pdf

Scottish Law Commission. (2016, March). Discussion Paper on Defamation (para 3.26 at footnote 49). Retrieved from http://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/files/5114/5820/6101/Discussion_Paper_on_Defamation_DP_No_161.pdf [accessed 25 February 2020]

Aamodt, A. (2015, August 26). Protecting the reputation of the council. Retrieved from https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/governance/314-governance-a-risk-articles/26702-protecting-the-reputation-of-the-council [accessed 29 January 2020]

Wales Audit Office. (2014, January 30). Indemnity for Libel Counterclaim - Carmarthenshire County Council - Report in the Public Interest. Retrieved from https://www.audit.wales/publication/indemnity-libel-counterclaim-carmarthenshire-county-council-report-public-interest [accessed 29 January 2020]

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Scottish Parliament. (2019, December 2). Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum (para. 108). Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61PMS052019.pdf [accessed 29 January 2020]

Scottish Parliament. (2019, December 2). Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum (para. 109). Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_Bills/Defamation%20and%20Malicious%20Publication%20(Scotland)%20Bill/SPBill61PMS052019.pdf [accessed 29 January 2020]

Scottish Law Commission. (2016, March). Discussion Paper on Defamation (para 8.15). Retrieved from http://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/files/5114/5820/6101/Discussion_Paper_on_Defamation_DP_No_161.pdf [accessed 30 January 2020]

Scottish Law Commission. (2016, March). Discussion Paper on Defamation (para 7.3). Retrieved from http://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/files/5114/5820/6101/Discussion_Paper_on_Defamation_DP_No_161.pdf [accessed 25 February 2020]

Scottish Government. (2019, January). Defamation in Scots law - a consultation (para. 46). Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/consultation-paper/2019/01/defamation-scots-law-consultation/documents/defamation-scots-law-consultation/defamation-scots-law-consultation/govscot%3Adocument/00545014.pdf [accessed 25 February 2020]

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Rogerson, J., & Daley, K. (2019, June 24). The meaning of "serious harm": the Supreme Court in Lachaux v Independent Print. Retrieved from https://www.whitecase.com/publications/alert/meaning-serious-harm-supreme-court-lachaux-v-independent-print [accessed 4 February 2020]

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Last Updated: 4/5 9:29am

Image: The main issues …

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