Defamation Bill Committee Stage Report

This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Defamation Bill. It complements Research Paper 12/30 prepared for Commons Second Reading. The date for Report Stage and Third Reading has yet to be announced.

Significant areas of debate at Committee Stage included: the treatment of operators of websites; the public interest defence; actions in respect of deceased persons; and, potential restrictions on corporations bringing actions for defamation.

The only substantive amendments to the Bill were to the provisions relating to commencement and territorial extent. Significantly, the amendments extend provisions relating to certain defences (peer review and privilege) to Scotland. Other than minor consequential amendments, the remainder of the provisions would only apply in England and Wales.