Libel Definition

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GLOSSARY

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What does Libel mean?

A defamatory statement made or conveyed in some permanent form and relating to someone other than the person to whom it relates.

At common law, libel has been extended to include motion pictures and by statute it has been extended to include theatrical productions and radio and television broadcasts. Libel is actionable without proof of special damage.

General

A defamatory statement made or conveyed in some permanent form and relating to someone other than the person to whom it relates.

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Defamation—practical aspects

This Practice Note deals with the practical aspects of bringing a defamation claim such as: identifying a defamatory statement; determining whether the statement is libel or slander; and the suitability of interim relief. It considers the impact of the Defamation Act 2013 (DA 2013) on claimants and defendants and includes tactics on the procedural aspects of a defamation action.Defamation Act 2013Before the implementation of the DA 2013, defamation actions acquired a reputation for technicality and disproportionate expense, largely because of the central focus on the meaning of defamatory statements. The government reacted to a groundswell of adverse media comment that English defamation law was too claimant-friendly by enacting DA 2013, which introduced a number of reforms making defamation a tortious action based equally on common law and statute, and abolished several common law defences through codification.Further readingYou may wish to refer to Duncan and Neill on Defamation (fifth edition, 2020) available subject to subscription. Was the statement defamatory and did it identify the claimant?At common law, a defamatory statement is...

Disclosure—preserving documents

Disclosure—preserving documents This Practice Note sets out the obligations under Practice Direction 31B, para 7 which apply once litigation is contemplated in relation to the preservation of documents and the consequences and considerations in relation to specific aspects of disclosure such as dealing with back up tapes, computers, notebooks, laptops, portable storage devices and handheld devices as well as social media accounts. The possible consequences of failing to preserve disclosable documents are also addressed. Note: This Practice Note does not cover the provisions of the disclosure scheme operating in the Business and Property Courts where duties to preserve documents also apply. For guidance on that, see: Disclosure scheme—overview. Obligations CPR PD 31B, which deals with the disclosure of electronic documents, expressly requires a legal adviser to advise their client to preserve disclosable documents as soon as they are instructed to deal with a dispute; where the claim has, or is likely to be, allocated to the multi-track. In any event, putting in place processes whereby potentially disclosable...

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Policy—internet, email and communications (short form)

Policy—internet, email and communications (short form) FORTHCOMING CHANGE: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published draft guidance on keeping employment records and recruitment and selection which is open for consultation until 5 March 2024, and has also removed the employment practices code (first published in March 2002, and last updated in November 2011) and supplementary guidance from its employment information page. For more information, see Q&A: What is the status of the ICO employment practices code? and ICO removes employment practices code and related guidance from its Employment information guidance page, LNB News 15/12/2023 112. This Precedent will be updated once the ICO draft guidance is finalised. You must read this policy because it gives important information about: • the Company’s rules on the use of internet, email, telephone and other communications systems at work, including in relation to confidentiality, security and personal use; • how the Company monitors the use of those systems; • your rights and obligations in relation to...

Claim form (defamation)—the contents

Claim form (defamation)—the contents The purpose of the claim form The claim form is the document used to start proceedings. It contains information relevant to the proceedings including the court reference number to be used on all subsequent court documents, the parties to the proceedings, what is being claimed, particulars of the claim (including any claim for interest) and contact details for the claimant (generally the claimant’s solicitor). Guidance as to the contents of a claim form generally can be found in the Practice Note: Claim form—the contents. This Precedent provides an containing suggested text for use in relation to a claim for defamation. The form sets out guidance as to the specific points which should be taken into account when completing a claim form for use in such proceedings. This claim form forms part of a suite of Precedents, and should be read in conjunction with the following Precedents: • Particulars of claim (defamation) • Defence (defamation) • Reply (defamation) • Final Order (defamation) In particular,...

Dive into our 2 Precedents related to Libel

PI & Clinical Negligence weekly highlights—17 April 2025

This week’s edition of PI & Clinical Negligence weekly highlights includes a Court of Appeal decision which considered causation in a mesothelioma claim. We also consider a High Court judgment which found that the fixed costs regime was disapplied retrospectively on allocation to the multi-track. In addition, we have our usual roundup of other news, cases and New Law Journal articles of interest.

Tommy Robinson's mental health 'deteriorating' in prison

Law360, London: Counsel for far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon urged the Court of Appeal on 11 April 2025 to reduce his 18-month sentence for contempt of court, arguing that prison conditions have caused a 'demonstrable effect' on his mental health.

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