A new style public interest defence in libel law ensures that rights and interests of claimants, defendants and the wider public are properly protected

Andrew Scott and Alastair Mullis discuss the Defamation Bill making its way through Parliament. They argue that the newly proposed amendment allows the bill to both protect the right to reputation while also promoting the right to free speech. This proposal introduces a ‘discursive remedy’ that would reduce the need to bring costly claims, and a novel focus on the honesty and reasonableness of the publisher’s belief that publication would be in the public interest.