[F1 3 Newspaper reports of proceedings in court privileged. E+W+N.I.

A fair and accurate report in any newspaper of proceedings publicly heard before any court exercising judicial authority shall, if published contemporaneously with such proceedings, be privileged: Provided that nothing in this section shall authorise the publication of any [F2 blasphemous or] indecent matter.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 3 repealed (except in relation to criminal libel) (4.9.1996 and 1.4.1999 for specified purposes, 28.2.2000 for E.W. in so far as not already in force and 6.1.2010 for N.I. in so far as not already in force) by 1996 c. 31, ss. 16, 19(2), Sch. 2 (with s. 20(2)); S.I. 1999/817 art. 2(b); S.I. 2000/222, art. 3; S.I. 2009/2858, art. 3(d)

F2 Words in s. 3 repealed (E.W.) (8.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 79(3), 153(2)(d), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 3 restricted by Defamation Act 1952 (c. 66), s. 8; extended by ibid., s. 9(2); explained by Criminal Justice Act 1967 (c. 80), s. 5; restricted by Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c. 53), s. 8(6)