UK Parliament debates defamation bill

After the success of the Libel Reform Campaign, the UK government’s Defamation bill will be debated in parliament on 12 June. This is another important step in a process that began in 2009, with the launch of the Free Speech Is Not For Sale report. But the battle is far from over. If we are not vigilant, this chance to transform free expression in England and beyond could be lost.

Index and the Libel Reform Campaign have identified five key points that must be addressed by MPs in their discussions on the Defamation Bill:

· A single publication rule, preventing perpetual liability due to internet publication
· Measures to protect foreign defendants from actions brought in London
· Clarification of and improvement to, the defence of honest opinion
· Streamlining procedure by restricting the use of juries in most cases
· An additional protection for a limited number of scientific publications

We’ll be covering the debate, starting at approximately 2.45pm, on this page. Be sure to keep up to date.

You can read the Libel Reform Campaign’s briefing on the bill below

Briefing for Second Reading Debate of Defamation Bill 2012