(1)Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below and section 19A of this Act, no action for defamation shall be brought unless it is commenced within a period of 3 years after the date when the right of action accrued.
(2)In the computation of the period specified in subsection (1) above there shall be disregarded any time during which the person alleged to have been defamed was under legal disability by reason of nonage or unsoundness of mind.
(3)Nothing in this section shall affect any right of action which accrued before the commencement of this section.
(4)In this section—
(a) “ defamation ” includes convicium and malicious falsehood, and “ defamed ” shall be construed accordingly; and
(b)references to the date when a right of action accrued shall be construed as references to the date when the publication or communication in respect of which the action for defamation is to be brought first came to the notice of the pursuer.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 18A inserted by Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 73, SIF 36: 1), s. 12(2)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 18A modified (25.9.1991) by Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 (c. 50, SIF 49:8), ss. 8, 11(2).