Defamation Act 1996 (c. 31)

Supplementary provisions U.K.

17 Interpretation. U.K.

(1) In this Act—

• “publication” and “publish”, in relation to a statement, have the meaning they have for the purposes of the law of defamation generally, but “publisher” is specially defined for the purposes of section 1;

• “statement” means words, pictures, visual images, gestures or any other method of signifying meaning; and

• “statutory provision” means—

  (a)

  a provision contained in an Act or in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the M1 Interpretation Act 1978, or

  (b)

  a statutory provision within the meaning given by section 1(f) of the M2 Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954.

(2) In this Act as it applies to proceedings in Scotland—

• “costs” means expenses; and

• “plaintiff” and “defendant” mean pursuer and defender.

Extent Information

E1 S. 17 extends to the United Kingdom; s. 17(2) extends to Scotland see s. 18(1)(2)(3).

Commencement Information

I1 S. 17 partly in force; s. 17 partly in force at Royal Assent, see s. 19(2)(3); s. 17 in force for certain purposes at 1.4.1999 by S.I. 1999/817, art. 2(a)

Marginal Citations

M1 1978 c. 30.

M2 1954 c. 33 (N.I.).