DEFAMATION ACT 2006 (NO 8 OF 2006)

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY MATTERS

• 1 Short title  
• 2 Objects of Act  
• 3 Definitions  
• 4 Act binds Crown  

PART 2--GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Division 1 -- Defamation and the general law

• 5 Tort of defamation  
• 6 Distinction between slander and libel abolished  

Division 2 -- Causes of action for defamation

• 7 Single cause of action for multiple defamatory imputations in same matter  
• 8 Certain corporations do not have cause of action for defamation  
• 9 No cause of action for defamation of, or against, deceased persons  

Division 3 -- Choice of law

• 10 Choice of law for defamation proceedings  

PART 3--RESOLUTION OF CIVIL DISPUTES WITHOUT LITIGATION

Division 1 -- Offers to make amends

• 11 Application of Division  
• 12 Publisher may make offer to make amends  
• 13 When offer to make amends may be made  
• 14 Content of offer to make amends  
• 15 Withdrawal of offer to make amends  
• 16 Effect of acceptance of offer to make amends  
• 17 Effect of failure to accept reasonable offer to make amends  
• 18 Inadmissibility of evidence of certain statements and admissions  

Division 2 -- Apologies

• 19 Effect of apology on liability for defamation  

PART 4--LITIGATION OF CIVIL DISPUTES

Division 1 -- General

• 20 Leave required for further proceedings in relation to publication of same defamatory matter  

Division 2 -- Defences

• 21 Scope of defences under general law and other law not limited  
• 22 Defence of justification  
• 23 Defence of contextual truth  
• 24 Defence of absolute privilege  
• 25 Defence for publication of public documents  
• 26 Defences of fair report of proceedings of public concern  
• 27 Defence of qualified privilege for provision of certain information  
• 28 Defences of honest opinion  
• 29 Defence of innocent dissemination  
• 30 Defence of triviality  

Division 3 -- Remedies

• 31 Damages to bear rational relationship to harm  
• 32 Damages for non-economic loss limited  
• 33 State of mind of defendant generally not relevant to awarding damages  
• 34 Exemplary or punitive damages cannot be awarded  
• 35 Factors in mitigation of damages  
• 36 Damages for multiple causes of action may be assessed as single sum  

Division 4 -- Costs

• 37 Costs in defamation proceedings  

PART 5--MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

• 38 Proof of publication  
• 39 Proof of convictions for offences  
• 40 Incriminating answers, documents or things  
• 41 Giving of notices and other documents  
• 42 Regulations  

PART 6--REPEALS AND TRANSITIONAL MATTERS FOR DEFAMATION ACT 2006

• 43 Definitions  
• 44 Repeal  
• 45 Application of this Act  
• 46 References to repealed Act  
• 47 Transitional regulations  

PART 7--CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

Division 1 -- Amendment of Limitation Act

• 48 Principal Act amended  
• 49 Amendment of section 12 (Actions in contract, tort etc.)  
• 50 Amendment of section 44 (Extension of periods)  
• 51 New Part III, Division 3  
• 52 New Part V  

Division 2 -- Amendment of Juries Act

• 53 Principal Act amended  
• 54 New section 6A  
• 55 Amendment of section 7 (Juries in other civil cases)  

Division 3 -- Expiry of Part

• 56 Expiry  
• SCHEDULE 1
• SCHEDULE 2
• SCHEDULE 3
• SCHEDULE 4