The Defamation Act To Come Into Force On 1 January 2014

The Defamation Act 2013 (Commencement) (England and Wales) Order 2013 (SI 2013/3027), which provides that the Defamation Act 2013 will come into force on 1 January 2014, was published by the government on 5 December 2013. The Defamation (Operators of Websites) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3028), pertinent to section 5 of the Act have also been published and will too, come into force on 1 January 2014.

The Act contains provisions which aim to reform the law of defamation and which apply to any publication after 1 January 2014. In the words of Lord McNally, the Act seeks to "overhaul the libel laws in England and Wales and bring them into the 21^st century, creating a more balanced and fair law", and attempts to adjust the balance between freedom of speech and the right to reputation, in favour of the former. The most important sections of the Act are summarised here.