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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Briefings

New Defamation Act makes it harder for companies to sue

2 January 2014

Companies will find it harder to sue for defamation under the Defamation Act 2013, which came into force on 1 January 2014.  They must now show that a defamatory statement has caused, or is likely to cause, "serious financial loss". 

The Defamation Act 2013 came into force in England and Wales on 1 January 2014.  It introduces a requirement for all claimants to show that "serious harm" to its reputation has been caused by the statement complained about, or that serious harm is likely to be caused.  For a body trading for profit, harm will not be "serious harm" unless it has caused, or is likely to cause, serious financial loss.

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