PART 1Defamation

Offers to make amends

13Offer to make amends

1

An offer to make amends is an offer made by a person (A) who has published a statement which another person (B) alleges is defamatory to make amends to B by—

a

making a suitable correction of—

i

the statement generally, or

ii

a specific defamatory meaning conveyed by the statement,

b

giving a sufficient apology,

c

publishing the correction and apology in a manner that is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances,

d

paying to B such compensation and expenses as may be agreed or determined to be payable (if any), and

e

taking such other steps (if any) as A may propose.

2

The offer must—

a

be made before A lodges defences in any defamation proceedings brought by B in relation to the statement,

b

be in writing,

c

state that it is an offer to make amends under this section, and

d

if made in relation to a specific defamatory meaning only, state that it is a qualified offer and set out the meaning in relation to which it is made.

3

An offer made under this section—

a

may be withdrawn before it is accepted,

b

may be renewed (such renewal being treated as a new offer),

c

is deemed to have been rejected if not accepted within a reasonable period.