Minister for Justice Simon Harris will seek approval for draft legislation to reform 2009 Act
The law aims to decrease the substantial level of damages often awarded, and the associated high legal costs and delays, when cases progress to the courts. The legislation also proposes the abolition of juries in High Court defamation actions.
Mr Harris is also expected to tell colleagues that he will add new provisions to address “libel” tourism, where a plaintiff chooses to take the defamation case in a jurisdiction which awards the highest damages. There have been a number of these high-profile defamation cases taken in Ireland in recent years, where neither of the parties were resident in the State.
There is also a measure to tackle strategic lawsuits against public participation . These pre-emptive legal actions can have a chilling effect, say critics, as they burden the other party with the prospect of prohibitive legal costs. It also intends to introduce a statutory Notice of Complaint process, to make it easier, quicker and cheaper to notify a digital publisher of online defamatory content, and request that it be taken down.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Justice minister says anti-asylum seeker demonstration in Mullingar was 'effort to intimidate'Simon Harris has said that attempts to physically block asylum seeker accommodation in Co Westmeath was an “effort to intimidate” and that demonstrators “don’t have a right to suggest that they are speaking on behalf of this country”
Read more »
Within the quest for justice for Baby John, lies a story Ireland must never forgetIn the News podcast: Within the quest for justice for Baby John, lies a story Ireland must never forget
Read more »
Former Kerry Babies detective tells of hope for justice for Baby JohnRetired detective inspector Gerry O’Carroll said: 'I’m always invested and have always been in justice for the little infant that they call Baby John'
Read more »
Proposed legal changes affecting sports clubs and residents’ associations spark big public interestMembers can end up being liable for debts incurred by unincorporated associations, warns former chief justice
Read more »
Netanyahu fires defence minister after calling for freeze of judicial overhaulIsrael’s opposition leader Yair Lapid says sacking proves prime minister is a danger to the country
Read more »
New SNP leader and Scottish first minister to be revealed today after five-week contestNicola Sturgeon announced in February that she would resign after more than eight years in the job once her successor has been chosen.
Read more »