Professional statute overview
Enactment structure, operative effect and source provenance
01
Purpose and legislative effect
“This section says the Act may be cited as the Defamation Act.”
This section says the Act may be cited as the Defamation Act. This section defines several terms used in the Act, including “authenticated report,” “newspaper,” “wireless broadcasting,” and “words.” In certain slander cases about a person’s office, profession, trade, or business reputation, special damage does not need to be alleged or proved. In slander actions about imputing unchastity or adultery to a woman or girl, the plaintiff does not need to allege or prove special damage. In certain actions for slander of title, slander of goods, or other malicious falsehood, special damage does not need to be alleged or proved if the words are likely to cause pecuniary damage in the ways described.
02
How the instrument operates
- 01
Start with the recorded version
Source version 31 Dec 1996. The date shown identifies this source expression and should not be treated as proof that no later change exists.
- 02
Locate the controlling provision
Use the provision map, part headings and full-text filter to move from the broad subject to the exact legal language.
- 03
Read conditions and exceptions together
Keep subsections, definitions, provisos and cross-references in context before drawing a legal conclusion.
- 04
Verify currency and official wording
Confirm later legislation, commencement notices and corrections with the official publisher before advice, filing or reliance.
03
Research entry points
Selected provisions across the instrument. Open any row to continue with the exact stored text.
This section says the Act may be cited as the Defamation Act.
Section 1
Newspaper publication of scheduled reports or matters is privileged unless malice is proved.
Section 9
In libel actions about printing or wireless broadcasting an extract or abstract of an authenticated report, proving it was such a report extract/abstract and published bona fide without malice is a good defence.
Section 17
A fair and accurate copy or extract may relate to a public register or another document that the law requires to be open to public inspection.
Section 6
For the listed countries and territories, the Schedule applies as it does to Her Britannic Majesty’s dominions, and references to those dominions are read accordingly.
Section 14
04
Source and current-law status
Source record view
Source record from zambialii.org · Source version 31 Dec 1996
The source record does not state a definitive current-law status. Check the official publisher and later amendments before relying on this text.