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ARTICLE · 17 JANUARY 2024

Looking Ahead: Defamation Reform In Ireland

Arthur Cox
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The General Scheme follows from the Report of the Review of the Defamation Act 2009 (the "Report") which was published in March 2022...

IrelandLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Eve Mulconry
Eve Mulconry
Keith Smith
Keith Smith
Dáire McMullin
Dáire McMullin
Deirdre O'Mahony
Deirdre O'Mahony
Joanelle O'Cleirigh
Joanelle O'Cleirigh
Richard Willis
Richard Willis
Michael Twomey
Michael Twomey
Jack Logan
Jack Logan
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Ireland is on the threshold of a significant overhaul of its defamation laws following the publication of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill (the "General Scheme") in March 2023 and the Report on Pre Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme prepared by the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice (the "Committee") in September 2023.

The General Scheme follows from the Report of the Review of the Defamation Act 2009 (the "Report") which was published in March 2022 and which made a number of recommendations to reform defamation laws in Ireland.

We highlight the key reforms proposed in General Scheme and recommendations of the Committee which will inform the drafting of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill.

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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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