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ARTICLE · 16 DECEMBER 2024

Defamation Reform In Ireland: The Jury Remains Out

Arthur Cox
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Following the dissolution of the government on 8 November 2024, the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 (the "Bill") has lapsed and it will fall upon the next government to progress the reform of Ireland's defamation laws.

IrelandLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Philip Smith
Philip Smith
Amelia Walsh
Amelia Walsh
Edel Curry
Edel Curry
Emily Dornan
Emily Dornan
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Following the dissolution of the government on 8 November 2024, the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 (the "Bill") has lapsed and it will fall upon the next government to progress the reform of Ireland's defamation laws.

Overview

The Bill is the most recent development in an extensive process of review and reform of Ireland's defamation laws. Following the publication of the Report of the Review of the Defamation Act 2009 (the "Report") in March 2022 the General Scheme of the Bill was published in March 2023.A Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill by the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice was published in September 2023 before the publication of the Bill on 2 August 2024.

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This article contains a general summary of developments and is not a complete or definitive statement of the law. Specific legal advice should be obtained where appropriate.

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