PART 3General

Miscellaneous

I135Consequential modifications

1

The Defamation Act 1952 is amended as follows—

a

sections 3, 5, 6 and paragraph (b) of section 14 are repealed,

b

in section 14 (application of Act to Scotland), in paragraph (d)—

i

after “pursuer” insert “ and ”,

ii

the words from “for” where it second occurs, to the end are repealed.

2

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 is amended as follows—

a

in section 8(6) (defamation actions: reports of court proceedings), after “1996” insert “ , section 9 of the Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021 ”,

b

in section 8(8) (defamation actions)—

i

after paragraph (b), the word “and” is repealed,

ii

for paragraph (c) substitute—

c

for references to a defence under section 2 of the Defamation Act 2013 there is substituted a reference to a defence under section 5 of the Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021, and

d

for the reference to a defence under section 3 of the Defamation Act 2013 there is substituted a reference to a defence under section 7 of the Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021.

3

The Defamation Act 1996 is amended as follows—

a

sections 1 to 4, 14, 15, 17(2) and schedule 1 are repealed,

b

in section 18(2) (provisions extending to Scotland)—

i

the words “section 1 (responsibility for publication),” are repealed,

ii

the words “sections 2 to 4 (offer to make amends), except section 3(8),” are repealed,

iii

the words “section 14 and 15 and Schedule 1 (statutory privilege)” are repealed.

4

The Defamation Act 2013 is amended as follows—

a

sections 6, 7(9), 15 and 16(5) are repealed,

b

in section 17 (short title, extent and commencement)—

i

in subsection (2), the words “Subject to subsection (3),” are repealed,

ii

subsections (3) and (5) are repealed,

iii

in subsection (4), for “subsections (5) and” substitute “ subsection ”.