Defamation Update: Local Council's Exposure to Claims

There has been a notable increase in the number of defamation suits involving local councils in the last few years with most actions arising out of material published on websites, in newsletters or via press releases.

Defamation proceedings are time consuming, complex and the costs associated with defending claims often significantly outweigh any damage sustained. The litigation can lead to negative publicity for the council and can also be very distressing for individual officers named as defendants to an action.

In this Defamation Update we look at:

• What is defamation?
• Publication. 
• Who can sue for defamation?
• Republication.
• Defamation defences.
• Defamation damages.