Justice Minister Simon Harris is to seek Cabinet approval for sweeping reforms to Ireland's controversial defamation laws
JUSTICE MINISTER SIMON Harris is to seek Cabinet approval for sweeping reform to Ireland’s defamation laws.
Ireland’s defamation laws have been criticised for constraining media freedom due to the high costs involved in defending a claim. The new legislation will also provide for quicker removals and corrections of defamatory content. And it will include “practical measures to improve protection against online defamation”.The general scheme being brought to Cabinet today outlines new requirements for solicitors to inform their clients of alternative dispute resolutions, including mediation, before pursuing defamation proceedings. Involved parties will have to consider those alternatives.
There will also be provisions to tackle “Libel tourism”, where plaintiffs come to Ireland to sue for defamation because they are more likely to win their case here than elsewhereIt is hoped the Bill will come before the Oireachtas before the end of the year.
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