This Act amends defamation law, including removing jury trials for High Court defamation actions and making other related changes.
Defamation (Amendment) Act 2026 Permanent Page URL View by Section Amharc de réir Ailt View Full Act Amharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRà arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Open PDF Oscail PDF Priontáil an tAcht Iomlán Previous Section Alt Roimhe Next Section An Chéad Alt Eile Priontáil an tAlt 2026 DEFAMATION (AMENDMENT) ACT 2026 PART 1 Preliminary and General 1. Short title and commencement 2. Definitions PART 2 Amendment of Section 2 of Principal Act 3. Amendment of section 2 of Principal Act PART 3 Abolition of Juries in High Court Defamation Actions 4. Abolition of juries in High Court defamation actions 5. Amendments consequential to section 4 PART 4 Defamation of Body Corporate 6. Defamation of body corporate PART 5 Amendment of Part 3 of Principal Act 7. Amendment of section 17 of Principal Act 8. Amendment of section 18 of Principal Act 9. Amendment of section 22(5) of Principal Act 10. Amendment of section 23 of Principal Act 11. Defence of fair publication on matter of public interest 12. Abolition of Reynolds defence 13. Defence in relation to broadcast of live programme PART 6 Amendment of Part 4 of Principal Act 14. Amendment of section 28 of Principal Act 15. Amendment of section 29(1) of Principal Act 16. Amendment of section 30(2) of Principal Act 17. Amendment of section 33(1) of Principal Act 18. Amendment of section 34(1) of Principal Act PART 7 Additional Provisions Regarding Defamation Proceedings Relating to Engagement in Public Participation 19. Insertion of Part 4A into Principal Act 20. Transitional provisions relating to provisions of Part 4A of Principal Act PART 8 Alternatives to Legal Proceedings 21. Alternative dispute resolution PART 9 22. Circuit Court identification order 23. Amendment of Schedule 1 to Principal Act Broadcasting Act 2009 (No. 18) Defamation Act 2009 (No. 31) Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 (No. 65) Parole Act 2019 (No. 28) Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 (No. 46) The Courts of Justice Act 1924 (No. 10) 2026 DEFAMATION (AMENDMENT) ACT 2026 An Act to provide that defamation actions in the High Court shall not be tried with a jury; to give effect to Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) in so far as it relates to defamation proceedings; for those and other purposes to amend the Defamation Act 2009 ; and to provide for related matters. th February , 2026] Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows: OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024.