Defamation (Amendment) Act 2026

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Number 2 of 2026

DEFAMATION (AMENDMENT) ACT 2026

CONTENTS

PART 1

Preliminary and General

Section

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

Miscellaneous

22. Circuit Court identification order

23. Amendment of Schedule 1 to Principal Act

Acts Referred to

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)

Number 2 of 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 2024¹ 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.

[19th February, 2026]

Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

¹ OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024.