Defamation Act 1996

Section 15.

[F1 SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Qualified privilege

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 repealed (S.) (8.8.2022) by Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 10), ss. 35(3)(a), 39(2); S.S.I. 2022/154, regs. 1(2), 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 extended (1.12.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 77(4)(a) (with ss. 139(2), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2789, art. 2

Part I U.K. Statements having qualified privilege without explanation or contradiction

1 U.K. A fair and accurate report of proceedings in public of a legislature anywhere in the world.

2 U.K. A fair and accurate report of proceedings in public before a court anywhere in the world.

3 U.K. A fair and accurate report of proceedings in public of a person appointed to hold a public inquiry by a government or legislature anywhere in the world.

4 U.K. A fair and accurate report of proceedings in public anywhere in the world of an international organisation or an international conference.

5 U.K. A fair and accurate copy of or extract from any register or other document required by law to be open to public inspection.

6 U.K. A notice or advertisement published by or on the authority of a court, or of a judge or officer of a court, anywhere in the world.

7 U.K. A fair and accurate copy of or extract from matter published by or on the authority of a government or legislature anywhere in the world.

8 U.K. A fair and accurate copy of or extract from matter published anywhere in the world by an international organisation or an international conference.

Part II U.K. Statements privileged subject to explanation or contradiction

9 (1) A fair and accurate copy of or extract from a notice or other matter issued for the information of the public by or on behalf of— S

(a) a legislature in any member State or the European Parliament;

(b) the government of any member State, or any authority performing governmental functions in any member State or part of a member State, or the European Commission;

(c) an international organisation or international conference.

(2) In this paragraph “ governmental functions ” includes police functions.

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Northern Ireland only

[F1 [F25 9 (1) A fair and accurate copy of, extract from or summary of a notice or other matter issued for the information of the public by or on behalf of— E+W+N.I.

(a) a legislature or government anywhere in the world;

(b) an authority anywhere in the world performing governmental functions;

(c) an international organisation or international conference.

(2) In this paragraph “ governmental functions ” includes police functions. ]]

Extent Information

E5 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F25 Sch. 1 para. 9 substituted (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(4), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and substituted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(4), 14

10 S A fair and accurate copy of or extract from a document made available by a court in any member State or the European Court of Justice (or any court attached to that court), or by a judge or officer of any such court.

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Northern Ireland only

[F1 [F26 10 E+W+N.I. A fair and accurate copy of, extract from or summary of a document made available by a court anywhere in the world, or by a judge or officer of such a court.]]

Extent Information

E6 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F26 Sch. 1 para. 10 substituted (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(4), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and substituted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(4), 14

11 (1) A fair and accurate report of proceedings at any public meeting or sitting in the United Kingdom of— U.K.

(a) a local authority F2 ...[F2 or local authority committee];

[F3 (aa) in the case of a local authority which are operating executive arrangements, the executive of that authority or a committee of that executive;]

(b) a justice or justices of the peace acting otherwise than as a court exercising judicial authority;

(c) a commission, tribunal, committee or person appointed for the purposes of any inquiry by any statutory provision, by Her Majesty or by a Minister of the Crown [F4 a member of the Scottish Executive][F5 , the Welsh Ministers or the Counsel General to the Welsh Assembly Government ]or a Northern Ireland Department;

(d) a person appointed by a local authority to hold a local inquiry in pursuance of any statutory provision;

(e) any other tribunal, board, committee or body constituted by or under, and exercising functions under, any statutory provision.

[F6 (1A) In the case of a local authority which are operating executive arrangements, a fair and accurate record of any decision made by any member of the executive where that record is required to be made and available for public inspection by virtue of section 22 of the Local Government Act 2000 or of any provision in regulations made under that section.]

(2) [F7 In sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (1A)—

“executive” and “executive arrangements” have the same meaning as in Part II of the Local Government Act 2000;]

• “local authority” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England and Wales, a principal council within the meaning of the M1 Local Government Act 1972, any body falling within any paragraph of section 100J(1) of that Act or an authority or body to which the M2 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 applies,

  (b)

  in relation to Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the M3 Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 or an authority or body to which the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 applies,

  (c)

  in relation to Northern Ireland, any authority or body to which sections 23 to 27 of the M4 Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 apply; and

• “local authority committee” means any committee of a local authority or of local authorities, and includes—

  (a)

  any committee or sub-committee in relation to which sections 100A to 100D of the Local Government Act 1972 apply by virtue of section 100E of that Act (whether or not also by virtue of section 100J of that Act), and

  (b)

  any committee or sub-committee in relation to which sections 50A to 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 apply by virtue of section 50E of that Act.

(3) A fair and accurate report of any corresponding proceedings in any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man or in another member State.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(a) substituted (E.) (6.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1057, art. 12(a)

F3 Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(aa) inserted (E.) (6.5.2002) by S.I. 2002/1057, art. 12(b)

F4 Words in Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(c) inserted (6.5.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8, para. 33(3)(with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2(2), Sch. 3

F5 Words in Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(c) inserted by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 160, 163, Sch. 10 para. 40 (with Sch. 11 para. 22), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(5) of the amending Act.

F6 Sch. 1 para. 11(1A) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2237, art. 31(b); and that same sub-paragraph inserted (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2002/808, art. 30(b)

F7 Words in Sch. 1 para. 11(2) substituted (E.) (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2237, art. 31(c); and those same words substituted (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2002/808, art. 30(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Sch. 1 para. 11(1)(c) modified (1.12.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 77(4)(b) (with ss. 139(2), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2789, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1972 c. 70.

M2 1960 c. 67.

M3 1994 c. 39.

M4 1972 c. 9 (N.I.).

[F8 11A U.K. A fair and accurate report of proceedings at a press conference held anywhere in the world for the discussion of a matter of public interest.]

Textual Amendments

F8 Sch. 1 para. 11A inserted (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(5), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and inserted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(5), 14

12 (1) A fair and accurate report of proceedings at any public meeting held [F9 in a member State] [F9 anywhere in the world]. U.K.

(2) In this paragraph a “public meeting” means a meeting bona fide and lawfully held for a lawful purpose and for the furtherance or discussion of a matter of [F10 public concern] [F10 public interest], whether admission to the meeting is general or restricted.

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in Sch. 1 para. 12(1) substituted (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(6)(a), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and words substituted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(6)(a), 14

F10 Words in Sch. 1 para. 12(2) substituted (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(6)(b), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and words substituted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(6)(b), 14

13 (1) A fair and accurate report of proceedings at a general meeting of a UK public company. S

(2) A fair and accurate copy of or extract from any document circulated to members of a UK public company—

(a) by or with the authority of the board of directors of the company,

(b) by the auditors of the company, or

(c) by any member of the company in pursuance of a right conferred by any statutory provision.

(3) A fair and accurate copy of or extract from any document circulated to members of a UK public company which relates to the appointment, resignation, retirement or dismissal of directors of the company.

(4) In this paragraph “ UK public company ” means—

(a) a public company within the meaning of [F11 section 4(2) of the Companies Act 2006], or

(b) a body corporate incorporated by or registered under any other statutory provision, or by Royal Charter, or formed in pursuance of letters patent.

(5) A fair and accurate report of proceedings at any corresponding meeting of, or copy of or extract from any corresponding document circulated to members of, a public company formed under the law of any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man or of another member State.

Extent Information

E3 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in Sch. 1 para. 13(4)(a) substituted (1.10.2009) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 159 (with art. 10)

[F1 13 (1) A fair and accurate report of proceedings at a general meeting of a [F27 listed company]. E+W+N.I.

[F28 (2) A fair and accurate copy of, extract from or summary of any document circulated to members of a listed company—

(a) by or with the authority of the board of directors of the company,

(b) by the auditors of the company, or

(c) by any member of the company in pursuance of a right conferred by any statutory provision.

(3) A fair and accurate copy of, extract from or summary of any document circulated to members of a listed company which relates to the appointment, resignation, retirement or dismissal of directors of the company or its auditors.

(4) In this paragraph “listed company” has the same meaning as in Part 12 of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (see section 1005 of that Act).]]

Extent Information

E7 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F27 Words in Sch. 1 para. 13(1) substituted (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(7)(a), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and words substituted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(7)(a), 14

F28 Sch. 1 para. 13(2)-(4) substituted for Sch. 1 para. 13(2)-(5) (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(7)(b), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and substituted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(7)(b), 14

14 U.K. A fair and accurate report of any finding or decision of any of the following descriptions of association, formed [F12 in the United Kingdom or another member State] [F12 anywhere in the world], or of any committee or governing body of such an association—

(a) an association formed for the purpose of promoting or encouraging the exercise of or interest in any art, science, religion or learning, and empowered by its constitution to exercise control over or adjudicate on matters of interest or concern to the association, or the actions or conduct of any person subject to such control or adjudication;

(b) an association formed for the purpose of promoting or safeguarding the interests of any trade, business, industry or profession, or of the persons carrying on or engaged in any trade, business, industry or profession, and empowered by its constitution to exercise control over or adjudicate upon matters connected with that trade, business, industry or profession, or the actions or conduct of those persons;

(c) an association formed for the purpose of promoting or safeguarding the interests of a game, sport or pastime to the playing or exercise of which members of the public are invited or admitted, and empowered by its constitution to exercise control over or adjudicate upon persons connected with or taking part in the game, sport or pastime;

(d) an association formed for the purpose of promoting charitable objects or other objects beneficial to the community and empowered by its constitution to exercise control over or to adjudicate on matters of interest or concern to the association, or the actions or conduct of any person subject to such control or adjudication.

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in Sch. 1 para. 14 substituted (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(8), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and words substituted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(8), 14

[F13 14A U.K. A fair and accurate—

(a) report of proceedings of a scientific or academic conference held anywhere in the world, or

(b) copy of, extract from or summary of matter published by such a conference.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Sch. 1 para. 14A inserted (1.1.2014 for S., 1.1.2014 for E.W.) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(9), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.S.I. 2013/339, art. 2; S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; S.S.I. 2013/339, art. 2; S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2; and inserted (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(9), 14

15 [F14 (1) A fair and accurate report of, or copy of or extract from, any adjudication, report, statement or notice issued by a body, officer or other person designated for the purposes of this paragraph— U.K.

[F15 (a) for England and Wales, by order of the Lord Chancellor,]

(b) for Scotland, by order of the Secretary of State.

[F16 , and

(c) for Northern Ireland, by order of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland]

(2) [F17 Subject to sub-paragraph (3),] An order under this paragraph shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

[F18 (3) An order under sub-paragraph (1)(c) shall be made by statutory rule for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 and subject to negative resolution within the meaning of section 41(6) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.]]

[F14 (1) A fair and accurate report or summary of, copy of or extract from, any adjudication, report, statement or notice issued by a body, officer or other person designated for the purposes of this paragraph by order of the Lord Chancellor.

(2) An order under this paragraph shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F14 Sch. 1 para. 15 substituted E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(10), 17(4) (with s. 16(5)); S.I. 2013/3027, art. 2

F15 Sch. 1 para. 15(1)(a) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(a)(i) (with arts. 28-31)

F16 Sch. 1 para. 15(1)(c) and word inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(a)(ii) (with arts. 28-31)

F17 Words in Sch. 1 para. 15(2) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(a)(iii) (with arts. 28-31)

F18 Sch. 1 para. 15(3) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(a)(iv) (with arts. 28-31)

Part III U.K. Supplementary provisions

16 (1) In this Schedule— S

• “ court ” includes any tribunal or body exercising the judicial power of the State;

• “ international conference ” means a conference attended by representatives of two or more governments;

• “ international organisation ” means an organisation of which two or more governments are members, and includes any committee or other subordinate body of such an organisation; and

• “ legislature ” includes a local legislature.

(2) References in this Schedule to a member State include any European dependent territory of a member State.

(3) In paragraphs 2 and 6 “ court ” includes—

(a) the European Court of Justice (or any court attached to that court) and the Court of Auditors of the [F19 European Union],

(b) the European Court of Human Rights,

(c) any international criminal tribunal established by the Security Council of the United Nations or by an international agreement to which the United Kingdom is a party, and

(d) the International Court of Justice and any other judicial or arbitral tribunal deciding matters in dispute between States.

(4) In paragraphs 1, 3 and 7 “ legislature ” includes the European Parliament.

Extent Information

E4 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F19 Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043) , arts. 2 , 3 , 4 (with art. 3(2) (3) 4(2) 6(4) (5) )

[F1 [F29 16 E+W+N.I. In this Schedule—

• “court” includes—

  (a)

  any tribunal or body established under the law of any country or territory exercising the judicial power of the State;

  (b)

  any international tribunal established by the Security Council of the United Nations or by an international agreement;

  (c)

  any international tribunal deciding matters in dispute between States;

• “international conference” means a conference attended by representatives of two or more governments;

• “international organisation” means an organisation of which two or more governments are members, and includes any committee or other subordinate body of such an organisation;

• “legislature” includes a local legislature; and

• “member State” includes any European dependent territory of a member State.]]

Extent Information

E8 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F29 Sch. 1 para. 16 substituted for Sch. 1 paras. 16, 17 (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(11) , 17(4) (with s. 16(5) ); S.I. 2013/3027 , art. 2; and (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(10), 14

[F20 17 (1) Provision may be made by order identifying— U.K.

(a) for the purposes of paragraph 11, the corresponding proceedings referred to in sub-paragraph (3);

(b) for the purposes of paragraph 13, the corresponding meetings and documents referred to in sub-paragraph (5).

(2) An order under this paragraph may be made—

[F21 (a) for England and Wales, by the Lord Chancellor,]

(b) for Scotland, by the Secretary of State.[F22 , and

(c) for Northern Ireland, by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland]

(3) [F23 Subject to sub-paragraph (4),] An order under this paragraph shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

[F24 (4) An order under sub-paragraph (2)(c) shall be made by statutory rule for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 and subject to negative resolution within the meaning of section 41(6) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.]]]

Textual Amendments

F20 Sch. 1 para. 16 substituted for Sch. 1 paras. 16, 17 (E.W.) (1.1.2014) by Defamation Act 2013 (c. 26), ss. 7(11) , 17(4) (with s. 16(5) ); S.I. 2013/3027 , art. 2; and (N.I) (7.6.2022) by Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 30), ss. 5(10), 14

F21 Sch. 1 para. 17(2)(a) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(b)(i) (with arts. 28-31)

F22 Sch. 1 para. 17(2)(c) and word inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(b)(ii) (with arts. 28-31)

F23 Words in Sch. 1 para. 17(3) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(b)(iii) (with arts. 28-31)

F24 Sch. 1 para. 17(4) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), Sch. 18 para. 53(b)(iv) (with arts. 28-31)