UNIFORM CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES 2005 - REG 14.30 Allegations in statements of claim generally

UNIFORM CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES 2005 - REG 14.30

14.30 Allegations in statements of claim generally

(cf SCR Part 67, rule 11; DCR Part 49, rule 10)

(1) A statement of claim seeking relief in relation to the publication of defamatory matter must not include any allegation that the matter or its publication was false, malicious or unlawful.

(2) Any such statement of claim must--

(a) subject to subrule (3), specify each imputation on which the plaintiff relies, and

(b) allege that the imputation was defamatory of the plaintiff, and

(c) allege that the publication of the defamatory matter has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm to the reputation of the plaintiff.

(3) A plaintiff in proceedings for defamation must not rely on two or more imputations alleged to be made by the defendant by means of the same publication of the same matter unless the imputations differ in substance.