Defamation Act 2013 / Common Law
UK Speech Law Reference — Law 09 of 12
The Defamation Act 2013 modernised UK defamation law, introducing a serious harm threshold and codifying key defences.
Serious Harm Threshold (s.1)
A statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to reputation. For bodies trading for profit, this means serious financial loss. Lachaux v Independent Print [2019] UKSC 27 confirmed harm must be proved by evidence.
Key Defences
Truth (s.2): The imputation conveyed is substantially true.
Honest Opinion (s.3): A statement of opinion based on facts, one an honest person could have held.
Public Interest (s.4): Publication on a matter of public interest where the publisher reasonably believed so.
Website Operators (s.5): Defence for operators who did not post the statement, subject to notice procedures.
Time Limits
Claims must be brought within one year from publication. Each republication potentially starts a new limitation period.
Source: legislation.gov.uk. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.