The Law of Torts: Defamation (Lecture 11, LAWS11069)

This lecture introduces the tort of defamation. Historically both a tort and a crime, the tort of defamation is concerned with balancing the protection of an individual’s reputation and the right to freedom of expression by others. In 2005 – 2006 all Australian jurisdictions enacted defamation legislation which is often referred to as the ‘national defamation law’. In this lecture, I examine the elements of defamation, the defences available at both common law and under the Defamation Acts, and the remedies for successful actions.