Defamation Bill

Committee for Finance – Primary Legislation

The Defamation Bill was formally introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 7 June 2021.

The aim of the Bill is to reform the law of defamation to ensure that a fair balance is struck between the right to freedom of expression and the protection of reputation. The Bill makes a number of substantive changes to the law of defamation but is not designed to codify the law into a single statute.

The Bill passed its Second Stage on 14 September 2021 and has been referred to the Committee for Finance for its Committee Stage. Assembly Committees examine Bills before they become law.

The closing date for submissions to the Committee’s call for evidence has been extended until Friday 19 November 2021.

Further Information

• Defamation Bill
• Call for evidence (closing date for submissions is extended to Friday 19 November 2021)
• Research papers considered by the Committee
• Written Submissions
• Memoranda from the Bill Sponsor
• Memoranda from the Department
• Research Papers