Libel Act 1843 (c. 96)

2 In an action against a newspaper for libel, the defendant may plead that it was inserted without malice and without neglect, and may pay money into court as amends. E+W+N.I.

In an action for libel contained in any public newspaper or other periodical publication it shall be competent to the defendant to plead that such libel was inserted in such newspaper or other periodical publication without actual malice, and without gross negligence, and that before the commencement of the action, or at the earliest opportunity afterwards, he inserted in such newspaper or other periodical publication a full apology for the said libel, or, if the newspaper or periodical publication in which the said libel appeared should be ordinarily published at intervals exceeding one week, had offered to publish the said apology in any newspaper or periodical publication to be selected by the plaintiff in such action; . . . F1 and to such plea to such action it shall be competent to the plaintiff to reply generally, denying the whole of such plea.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1892 (c. 19)