UK Defamation Act 2013
In England and Wales a statement is defamatory only if it has caused or is likely to cause serious harm; the Act gives website operators a defence and courts power to order removal.
Key rules
- Serious harm (s.1): for bodies trading for profit, serious financial loss.
- Defences: truth (s.2), honest opinion (s.3), publication on a matter of public interest (s.4).
- Website operators (s.5): an operator that did not post the statement has a defence if it follows the prescribed complaints procedure.
- Single publication rule (s.8): republication of the same material does not restart the limitation clock.
- Removal orders (s.13): courts can order an operator to remove a defamatory statement.
Practice
A letter of claim under the pre-action protocol normally comes first; the limitation period is generally one year from publication.
General information, not legal advice. In real cases we work alongside lawyers who specialise in digital rights.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Turkish company sue in London?
If it has a reputation in England and Wales and the publication reached readers there, a claim may be possible; jurisdiction rules need advice.