Gatley is the leading text on libel and slander. The new edition brings practitioners up to date with the latest developments in the law of defamation, both substantive and procedural. It analyses the relevant case law, and guides the reader through practice and procedure in detail.

The new 12th edition deals in depth with the Defamation Act 2013. It also incorporates the latest case law and tracks the developing law in areas such as press freedom to report on matters of public interest, interim injunctions and damages.

The 1st Supplement was published in December 2015
The Main Work was published in December 2013
Provides an all-encompassing guide to the law of defamation
Analyses the changes introduced by the Defamation Act 2013 and discusses a wealth of significant recent case law
Includes cases from other jurisdictions with commentary on their relevance to UK law and procedure, in particular decisions from Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Discusses the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the continuing effect of the Human Rights Act on defamation law and privacy
Deals with defences available to defamation actions
Includes forms and precedents for issuing proceedings, statements of case and settlements
Deals with related causes of action arising from the publication of statements or images, e.g. misuse of private information and harassment – and discusses the recent cases on these topics
Reproduces key legislation
Includes summaries of important libel awards in the appendix material
Updates the reader with regular supplements...

Introduction
Defamatory Imputations
The Form and Meaning of the Defamatory Statement
Slanders Actionable Per Se
Slanders Actionable Only on Proof of Special Damage
Publication
Identity of the Person Defamed
Parties: Who May Sue or Be Sued
Remedies

Defences

Defences: General
Justification (Truth) at common law
Defence of Truth under section 2, Defamation Act 2013
Honest Comment
Defence of Honest Opinion under section 3, Defamation Act 2013
Absolute Privilege
Qualified Privilege at Common Law Part I
Qualified Privilege at Common Law Part II
Qualified Privilege: Statute
Defence of Publication on a Matter of Public Interest under section 4, Defamation Act 2013
Malice and Qualified Privilege
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Other Defences

Other Causes of Action and related Matters

Malicious Falsehood
Misuse of Private Information
Other Causes of Action Arising from Statements

The Action

The Initial Stages
Interim Injunctions
Particulars of Claim
Defence
Reply and Defence to Counterclaim
Apology, Offer of Amends and Compromise
Pre-trial Applications
Interlocutory Matters
The Trial: The Claimant’s Case
The Trial: The Defendant’s Case
The Trial: Functions of Judge and Jury
The Trial: The Final Stages
Appeal

Appendix 1:Statutes
Appendix 2:Damages Awards