Practice Note SC CL 4- Defamation List

30/06/2021

The Chief Justice has today reissued Practice note SC CL 4 – Defamation List, with a commencement date of 1 July 2021.

Reforms to the Defamation Act 2005 are commencing on 1 July 2021. This has resulted in the need to make two minor amendments to the defamation list practice note.

The changes require a motion and supporting affidavit to be filed:

• With a statement of claim where leave is required to commence proceedings where a concerns notice has not been served (s 10A of the Defamation Act); and
• Where a party seeks determination of the serious harm element before trial (s 12B of the Defamation Act).

The new version will be uploaded to the website, and will be forwarded on for gazettal. Click here to view the amended Practice Note.