An Act to amend the law relating to libel and slander and other malicious falsehoods.
[30th October 1952]
F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1 repealed (1.1.1991) by 1990 c. 42, s. 203(3), Sch. 21; S.I. 1990/2347, art. 3, Sch. 2
In an action for slander in respect of words calculated to disparage the plaintiff in any office, profession, calling, trade or business held or carried on by him at the time of the publication, it shall not be necessary to allege or prove special damage, whether or not the words are spoken of the plaintiff in the way of his office, profession, calling, trade or business.
(1)In an action for slander of title, slander of goods or other malicious falsehood, it shall not be necessary to allege or prove special damage—
(a)if the words upon which the action is founded are calculated to cause pecuniary damage to the plaintiff and are published in writing or other permanent form; or
(b)if the said words are calculated to cause pecuniary damage to the plaintiff in respect of any office, profession, calling, trade or business held or carried on by him at the time of the publication.
(2)Section one of this Act shall apply for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of the law of libel and slander.]
Textual Amendments
F2S. 3 repealed (S.) (8.8.2022) by Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 10), ss. 35(1)(a), 39(2); S.S.I. 2022/154, regs. 1(2), 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S.3 amended by Theatres Act 1968 (c. 54), s. 4(2)
Textual Amendments
F3S. 4 repealed (4.9.1996 so far as consequential on ss. 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16 of the repealing Act, 28.2.2000 for E.W. otherwise, 31.3.2001 for S. otherwise and 6.1.2010 for N.I. otherwise) by 1996 c. 31, s. 16, Sch. 2 (with s. 20(2)); S.I. 2000/222, art. 3(b) (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2001/98, art. 3 (with art. 4); S.I. 2009/2858, art. 3(d)
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Textual Amendments
F4S. 5 repealed (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 2(4), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and repealed (S.) (8.8.2022) by Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 10), ss. 35(1)(a), 39(2); S.S.I. 2022/154, reg. 2
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Textual Amendments
F5S. 6 repealed (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 3(8), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and repealed (S.) (8.8.2022) by Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 10), ss. 35(1)(a), 39(2); S.S.I. 2022/154, reg. 2
Textual Amendments
F6S. 7 repealed (4.9.1996 so far as consequential on ss. 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16 of the repealing Act, 28.2.2000 for E.W. otherwise, 31.3.2001 for S. otherwise and 6.1.2010 for N.I. otherwise) by 1996 c. 31, s. 16, Sch. 2 (with s. 20(2)); S.I. 2000/222, art. 3(b) (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2001/98, art. 3; S.I. 2009/2858, art. 3(d)
Textual Amendments
F7S. 8 repealed (4.9.1996 so far as consequential on ss. 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16 of the repealing Act, 28.2.2000 for E.W. otherwise, 31.3.2001 for S. otherwise and 6.1.2010 for N.I. otherwise) by 1996 c. 31, s. 16, Sch. 2 (with s. 20(2)); S.I. 2000/222, art. 3(b) (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2001/98, art. 3; S.I. 2009/2858, art. 3(d)
(1)Section three of the M1Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 (which confers protection in respect of proceedings for printing extracts from or abstracts of parliamentary papers) shall have effect as if the reference to printing included a reference to broadcasting by means of wireless telegraphy.
F8(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F8(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F8S. 9(2)(3) repealed (4.9.1996 so far as consequential on ss. 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16 of the repealing Act, 28.2.2000 for E.W. otherwise, 31.3.2001 for S. otherwise and 6.1.2010 for N.I. otherwise) by 1996 c. 31, s. 16, Sch. 2 (with s. 20(2)); S.I. 2000/222, art. 3(b) (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2001/98, art. 3; S.I. 2009/2858, art. 3(d)
Marginal Citations
A defamatory statement published by or on behalf of a candidate in any election to a local government authority [F9to the Scottish Parliament] or to Parliament shall not be deemed to be published on a privileged occasion on the ground that it is material to a question in issue in the election, whether or not the person by whom it is published is qualified to vote at the election.
Textual Amendments
F9Words in s. 10 inserted (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8, para. 10 (with s. 126(3)-(11))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 10 extended (1.12.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 77(5) (with ss. 139(2), 143(2)); S. I. 1998/2789, art. 2
An agreement for indemnifying any person against civil liability for libel in respect of the publication of any matter shall not be unlawful unless at the time of the publication that person knows that the matter is defamatory, and does not reasonably believe there is a good defence to any action brought upon it.
In any action for libel or slander the defendant may give evidence in mitigation of damages that the plaintiff has recovered damages, or has brought actions for damages, for libel or slander in respect of the publication of words to the same effect as the words on which the action is founded, or has received or agreed to receive compensation in respect of any such publication.
Section five of the M2Law of Libel Amendment Act 1888 (which provides for the consolidation, on the application of the defendants, of two or more actions for libel by the same plaintiff) shall apply to actions for slander and to actions for slander of title, slander of goods or other malicious falsehood as it applies to actions for libel; and references in that section to the same, or substantially the same, libel shall be construed accordingly.
Marginal Citations
This Act shall apply to Scotland subject to the following modifications, that is to say:—
(a)sections one, two, eight and thirteen shall be omitted;
F10(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c)subsection (2) of section four shall have effect as if at the end thereof there were added the words “Nothing in this subsection shall be held to entitle a defender to lead evidence of any fact specified in the declaration unless notice of his intention so to do has been given in the defences.”; and
(d)for any reference to libel, or to libel or slander, there shall be substituted a reference to defamation; the expression “plaintiff” means pursuer [F11 and]; the expression “defendant” means defender; F12...
Textual Amendments
F10S. 14(b) repealed (S.) (8.8.2022) by Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 10), ss. 35(1)(a), 39(2); S.S.I. 2022/154, reg. 2
F11Word in s. 14(d) inserted (S.) (8.8.2022) by Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 10), ss. 35(1)(b)(i), 39(2); S.S.I. 2022/154, reg. 2
F12Words in s. 14(d) repealed (S.) (8.8.2022) by Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 10), ss. 35(1)(b)(ii), 39(2); S.S.I. 2022/154, reg. 2
Textual Amendments
(1)Any reference in this Act to words shall be construed as including a reference to pictures, visual images, gestures and other methods of signifying meaning.
F14(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F14(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)Where words broadcast by means of wireless telegraphy are simultaneously transmitted by telegraph as defined by the M3Telegraph Act 1863, F15. . . the provisions of this Act shall apply as if the transmission were broadcasting by means of wireless telegraphy.
Textual Amendments
F14S. 16(2)(3) repealed (4.9.1996 so far as consequential on ss. 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16 of the repealing Act, 28.2.2000 for E.W. otherwise, 31.3.2001 for S. otherwise and 6.1.2010 for N.I. otherwise) by 1996 c. 31, s. 16, Sch. 2 (with s. 20(2)); S.I. 2000/222, art. 3(b) (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2001/98, art. 3; S.I. 2009/2858, art. 3(d)
F15Words repealed by Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48), Sch. 4 para. 53
Marginal Citations
(1)This Act applies for the purposes of any proceedings begun after the commencement of this Act, whenever the cause of action arose, but does not affect any proceedings begun before the commencement of this Act.
F16F17(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F16S. 17(2) repealed (S.) (28.3.2011) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), s. 206(1), Sch. 7 para. 6; S.S.I. 2011/178, art. 2, Sch.
F17S. 17(2) repealed (E.W.) (12.1.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), s. 182(2)(e)(vi), Sch. 23 Pt. 2 (with s. 180)
(1)This Act may be cited as the Defamation Act 1952, and shall come into operation one month after the passing of this Act.
(2)This Act F18. . . shall not extend to Northern Ireland.
F19(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F18Words repealed by Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 (c. 36) Sch. 6 Pt. I
F19s.18(3) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1974 (c. 22), Sch. Pt. XI
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Textual Amendments
F20Sch. repealed (4.9.1996 so far as consequential on ss. 1, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16 of the repealing Act, 28.2.2000 for E.W. otherwise, 31.3.2001 for S. otherwise and 6.1.2010 for N.I. otherwise) by 1996 c. 31, s. 16, Sch. 2 (with s. 20(2)); S.I. 2000/222, art. 3(b) (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2001/98, art. 3; S.I. 2009/2858, art. 3(d)