{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952.json",
  "id": "ukpga/Geo6and1Eliz2/15-16/66",
  "title": "Defamation Act 1952",
  "long_title": "An Act to amend the law relating to libel and slander and other malicious falsehoods.",
  "citation": "Geo6and1Eliz2/15-16 c. 66",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "Geo6and1Eliz2/15-16",
  "number": "66",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1952-10-30",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2022-08-08",
  "extent": "E+W+S",
  "unapplied_effects": 0,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/introduction",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Broadcast statements.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-1",
      "extent": null,
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Slander affecting official, professional or business reputation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-2",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Slander of title, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-3",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-4",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Justification.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Fair comment.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-6",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-7",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-8",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "Extension of certain defences to broadcasting.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-9",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/10",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Limitation on privilege at elections.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-10",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/11",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": "Agreements for indemnity.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-11",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Evidence of other damages recovered by plaintiff.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-12",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Consolidation of actions for slander etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-13",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Application of Act to Scotland.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-14",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": ". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-15",
      "extent": null,
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/16",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Interpretation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-16",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/17",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": "Proceedings affected and saving.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-17",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/18",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": "Short title, commencement extent and repeals.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/section-18",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule",
      "kind": "schedule",
      "number": null,
      "heading": null,
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/part/I",
      "kind": "part",
      "number": "I",
      "heading": null,
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "schedule"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/1",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-1",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/2",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-2",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/3",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-3",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/4",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-4",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/5",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/6",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-6",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/I"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/7",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-7",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/part/II",
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      "number": "II",
      "heading": null,
      "url": null,
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    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/8",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-8",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/II"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/9",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-9",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/II"
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    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/10",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "10",
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      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-10",
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      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-13",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
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      "parent": "schedule/part/III"
    },
    {
      "path": "schedule/paragraph/14",
      "kind": "paragraph",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": null,
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/defamation-act-1952/schedule/paragraph-14",
      "extent": "E+W+S",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "schedule/part/III"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6and1Eliz2/15-16/66",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T11:17:11.082661+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
    "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
  }
}