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Contempt of Court Act 1981

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This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

3Defence of innocent publication or distribution

(1)A person is not guilty of contempt of court under the strict liability rule as the publisher of any matter to which that rule applies if at the time of publication (having taken all reasonable care) he does not know and has no reason to suspect that relevant proceedings are active.

(2)A person is not guilty of contempt of court under the strict liability rule as the distributor of a publication containing any such matter if at the time of distribution (having taken all reasonable care) he does not know that it contains such matter and has no reason to suspect that it is likely to do so.

(3)The burden of proof of any fact tending to establish a defence afforded by this section to any person lies upon that person.

(4)Section 11 of the [1960 c. 65.] Administration of Justice Act 1960 is repealed.

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