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Defamation and Protecting Reputation

FED

A complete guide to the Defamation Act and related areas, including privacy, breach of confidence, injunctive relief, injurious falsehood, and misleading or deceptive conduct.

2 Matter Plans

Overview

The commentary covers the nature of defamation, pre-publication inquiries, damages, concerns notice and offer to make amends, and alternatives to defamation proceedings. Commencing and defending proceedings, interlocutory procedures, evidence and closing submissions, calculation of damages, interest and costs orders.

The Reference materials folder includes guidance on electronic signing and remote witnessing, and Peter Breen’s book Defamation and Protecting Reputation. The Getting the matter underway folder contains essential compliance and client engagement documents. The comprehensive Retainer Instructions ensure that all necessary information is gathered from the client at the outset of the matter.

Also included is 101 Subpoena Answers, which is a useful reference guide.

Precedents in this publication include:

  • Letter before publication;
  • Example content for letter of demand;
  • Library of statements of claim;
  • Example content for a suite of court forms;
  • Client letters confirming successful or unsuccessful outcomes.
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2 Matter Plans Included

  • Item icon ALERT - Tasmania's defamation legislation was amended with effect from 16 June 2025 to adopt changes to the Uniform Defamation Law.
    Tasmania's defamation legislation was amended with effect from 16 June 2025 to adopt changes to the Uniform Defamation Law.

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  • Item icon Full Commentary - Defamation and Protecting Reputation
  • Folder icon Reference materials
    • Item icon AI Prompts
      An AI prompt defines a specific task for AI to perform, like drafting a particular document, and provides clear instructions on how to execute that task. The goal is for the AI to quickly create a useful first draft of a document, which the user verifies and refines into a final version, ultimately ...

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    • Item icon Looking to the Future
    • Item icon Electronic Signing and Witnessing
    • Item icon Peter Breen's Defamation and protecting reputation
    • Item icon Peter Breen's Submission to Defamation Review
    • Item icon 101 Subpoena Answers
    • Item icon 101 Costs Answers
    • Folder icon Papers and articles - Litigation
      • Item icon Improving written submissions - A paper by Judge Alan Troy
      • Item icon Plain language – A paper by the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
    • Folder icon Demonstrating the use of precedents
      • Item icon Demonstrating the Use of Precedents
        To demonstrate the range of precedents available in the guide and to illustrate how they can be adapted to a particular matter, one set of precedents are based on a set of facts in a debt recovery that escalates when a cross-claim is brought alleging a course of conduct between the parties and a ...

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      • Item icon Demonstration - Letter of demand
      • Item icon Demonstration - Response to letter of demand
      • Item icon Demonstration - Pleadings and particulars
      • Item icon Demonstration - Request for further and better particulars
      • Item icon Demonstration - Defence
      • Item icon Demonstration - Affidavit of defendant
      • Item icon Demonstration - Cross-claim or counterclaim
      • Item icon Demonstration - Defence to cross claim or counterclaim
      • Item icon Demonstration - Calderbank offer
      • Item icon Demonstration - ADR order - Referral to mediation
      • Item icon Demonstration - Mediation position paper - Plaintiff
      • Item icon Demonstration - Mediation position paper - Defendant
      • Item icon Demonstration - Consent orders
      • Item icon Demonstration - Deed of release - Settlement of proceedings
    • Item icon Further information
  • Item icon Overview and limitation periods
  • Item icon Legislation
    Defamation legal principles remain grounded in the common law. The distinction between libel and slander was abolished by the uniform defamation law, so the rights and remedies for offence caused either in writing or by speaking are the same. The uniform defamation legislation provides that the ...

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  • Item icon The 2021 and 2024 defamation reforms
    The uniform defamation law is not Commonwealth legislation but depends on the various states and territories implementing it in their local legislatures substantially in accordance with agreement between them and the Commonwealth. Substantial reforms to the uniform defamation law were agreed to by ...

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  • Folder icon A. Getting the matter underway
    • Item icon File cover sheet - Defamation and protecting reputation
    • Item icon First steps
    • Item icon Client details and verifying identity
    • Item icon Retainer instructions - Defamation and protecting reputation - Acting for the plaintiff
    • Item icon Retainer instructions - Defamation and protecting reputation - Acting for the defendant
    • Item icon Conflict of interest check
    • Item icon Initial letter to plaintiff client enclosing costs agreement
    • Item icon Initial letter to defendant client enclosing costs agreement
    • Folder icon Costs agreements - Defamation and protecting reputation
      • Folder icon Australian Capital Territory
        • Item icon Costs agreement - ACT
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
      • Folder icon New South Wales
        • Item icon Costs agreement - NSW
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - NSW
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - NSW
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
      • Folder icon Northern Territory
        • Item icon Costs agreement - NT
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
      • Folder icon Queensland
        • Item icon Initial letter to client enclosing costs agreement
        • Item icon Costs agreement - QLD
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - QLD
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - QLD
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
        • Item icon Abbreviated costs disclosure - Costs under $3000
      • Folder icon South Australia
        • Item icon Costs agreement - SA
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
      • Folder icon Tasmania
        • Item icon Costs agreement - TAS
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
      • Folder icon Victoria
        • Item icon Costs agreement - VIC
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - VIC
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - VIC
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
      • Folder icon Western Australia
        • Item icon Costs agreement - WA
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - WA
        • Item icon Conditional costs agreement - Uplift fee - WA
        • Item icon Scope of work - Defamation and protecting reputation
        • Item icon Standard costs disclosure form for clients - Fees under $3000
    • Item icon Time and costs estimates
    • Folder icon If required - Updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Letter to client updating costs disclosure
      • Item icon Charge securing costs
      • Item icon Guarantee securing costs
      • Folder icon Costs disclosure before settlement in litigation matters
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - NSW, VIC, and WA
        • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - QLD, SA, TAS, ACT, and NT
    • Item icon Taking instructions in defamation cases
      The risks of losing The first and most obvious question most clients will ask is ‘what are the risks of losing?’ There are two answers to this question depending upon whether the case settles or goes to trial.

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    • Folder icon General deeds, agreements, execution clauses, and statutory declarations
      • Item icon Deeds and Agreements
      • Folder icon Deeds
        • Item icon Deed for general use
        • Item icon Deed of guarantee
        • Item icon Deed of release
        • Item icon General deed of indemnity
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement
        • Item icon Deed of gift
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of deed - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Agreements
        • Item icon Agreement for general use
        • Item icon Heads of agreement
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Formal
        • Item icon Non-disclosure agreement - Informal
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for defined information - One party
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - All parties
          • Item icon Confidentiality for terms of agreement - One party
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Execution clauses
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
          • Item icon Individual - No witness
        • Folder icon Library of execution clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Attorney
          • Item icon Authorised officer
          • Item icon Company
          • Item icon Company - Sole director
          • Item icon Individual
      • Folder icon Statutory declarations
        • Item icon Commonwealth statutory declaration
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - ACT
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NSW
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - VIC
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - QLD
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - TAS
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - SA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - WA
        • Item icon Statutory declaration - blank - NT
        • Item icon Standard annexure note for documents
      • Item icon Standard annexure note for documents
  • Folder icon B. Initial considerations
    • Item icon The nature of defamation
      Defamation is a personal attack which has the effect of diminishing a person’s reputation in the eyes of ordinary reasonable people in the community, or leads people to ridicule, avoid or despise the person. Such an attack can be via spoken words or in writing, or in art, photography, film, video, ...

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    • Item icon Publication
      There is no defamation unless the attack is published to a third party. If one writes the person a letter or sends them an email, they should include the words private and confidential at the beginning of the text in case a third party receives it accidentally which happens quite frequently online. ...

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    • Item icon Letter before publication
    • Item icon Pre-publication inquiries
      Anyone intending to publish material that might be defamatory could consider making pre-publication inquiries of the person likely to be offended by the contentious material. A letter, email or other form of communication prior to publication should clearly state that its purpose is to address the ...

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    • Item icon Preliminary discovery
      Before commencing proceedings, the plaintiff may wish to obtain further information about the publication or further details of the defendant. This is called preliminary discovery or pre-litigation disclosure. The general rule for preliminary discovery is that the plaintiff is not required to ...

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    • Folder icon If required - Preliminary discovery
      • Item icon Letter to defendant seeking discovery
      • Item icon Example content - Application for preliminary discovery
    • Item icon Damages
      Some solicitors will write to a prospective defendant and say they have instructions to sue for the jurisdictional limit in the relevant court. While this might shock the prospective defendant into a quick settlement, it might also establish an unrealistic expectation on the part of the solicitor’s ...

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    • Item icon Ten rules for success in defamation
      Rule 1: Mere vulgar abuse is not defamatory Defamation claims over offensive but innocuous remarks are serious threats to the credibility of the justice system, especially in cases where a plaintiff has suffered no real harm. Judges are likely to take a more expansive view of free speech by ...

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    • Folder icon Court forms - All jurisdictions
      • Folder icon Australian Capital Territory
        • Item icon Forms - ACT Court Procedures Act 2004
        • Item icon Affidavit - general
        • Item icon Affidavit for person to act as litigation guardian
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying answers to interrogatories
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Annexure to affidavit
        • Item icon Application for waiver of court or tribunal fee
        • Item icon Application in proceeding
        • Item icon Bill of costs
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon General form of consent judgement
        • Item icon General form of consent order
        • Item icon General form of judgement - civil proceeding
        • Item icon General form of order - civil proceeding
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance or withdrawal
        • Item icon Notice of intention to respond
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Originating application for admission as a lawyer
        • Item icon Originating application for costs assessment
        • Item icon Originating claim
        • Item icon Request for exemption from paying fees for ACT Law Courts or ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal matter
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of claim - general
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena - declaration by addressee
        • Item icon Summary of document to be served
      • Folder icon New South Wales
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of service
        • Item icon Appearance
        • Item icon Application to postpone, remit or waive payment of a court fee
        • Item icon Consent judgment or consent order
        • Item icon Consent to act as tutor
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence - No verification
        • Item icon Election for trial by jury in defamation proceedings
        • Item icon Exhibit certificate
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon General form
        • Item icon Interrogatories
        • Item icon Judgment or order
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of parties
        • Item icon Notice disputing facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor or appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to file notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of motion
        • Item icon Notice of removal of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice to produce for inspection
        • Item icon Notice to produce to court
        • Item icon Order for production
        • Item icon Reply
        • Item icon Reply - No verification
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of answers to interrogatories - Link to UCPR forms
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim - No verification
        • Item icon Statement of issues
        • Item icon Submitting Appearance
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence and to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Timetable
        • Item icon Witness statement
      • Folder icon Northern Territory
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Local Court forms
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Supreme Court forms
      • Folder icon Queensland
        • Item icon ADR referring order
        • Item icon Affidavit (Form 46)
        • Item icon Affidavit accompanying payment into court
        • Item icon Appearance slip - for use in Townsville District & Supreme Courts
        • Item icon Application
        • Item icon Application for reduction of fees by an individual
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit multiple documents with Index to exhibits
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit single document
        • Item icon Certificate of explanation of duty of disclosure
        • Item icon Certificate of readiness - District Court
        • Item icon Certificate of solicitor under rule 244
        • Item icon Agreement to change of venue
        • Item icon Claim
        • Item icon Conditional notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Consent adjournment of application
        • Item icon Consent of litigation guardian
        • Item icon ADR consent order
        • Item icon Default judgment
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon Judgment
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of documents (electronically managed)
        • Item icon Mediator's certificate
        • Item icon Notice of acceptance of offer
        • Item icon Notice of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of address for service - District Court
        • Item icon Notice of appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of non-party disclosure
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of solicitors
        • Item icon Notice proposing application without oral hearing
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Notice to admit documents
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts
        • Item icon Order
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Registrars order for costs
        • Item icon Request for consent order of registrar
        • Item icon Request for default judgment
        • Item icon Request for fee refund
        • Item icon Request for subpoena
        • Item icon Request for trial date
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Subpoena for production
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend enforcement hearing
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Title (long)
        • Item icon Title (short)
        • Item icon Undertaking re letter of request
      • Folder icon South Australia
        • Item icon Court forms - Link to Courts SA
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet
        • Item icon Front page
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Summons - general
      • Folder icon Tasmania
        • Item icon Courts and Tribunals Tasmania - Court forms
      • Folder icon Victoria
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (County Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of litigation guardian accepting offer of settlement
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - originating process
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party not on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of solicitor
        • Item icon Affidavit in support of summons
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (County Court)
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Application for copy of Judge's notes (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for order to examine OR produce (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for standard or concession court fees
        • Item icon Associate Judges' Practice Court (Court 2) - Applications
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Certificate of judgment (County Court)
        • Item icon Certificate of payment
        • Item icon Certification of prior overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defendant's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Document Header
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon Final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Freezing order
        • Item icon General form of judgment entered
        • Item icon General form of judgment given
        • Item icon General form of order
        • Item icon Interlocutory or interlocutory and final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge with a jury
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge without a jury
        • Item icon Judgment or order at trial of preliminary question
        • Item icon Letter of request for service of document
        • Item icon Letter to defendant's insurer - Calderbank offer
        • Item icon Mediation decision sheet (County Court)
        • Item icon Minutes of Consent Orders pursuant to Rule 59 06
        • Item icon Notice claiming contribution
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (County Court)
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appearance to counterclaim
        • Item icon Notice of application for audio visual link or audio link
        • Item icon Notice of application for suppression order
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of conditional appearance
        • Item icon Notice of consent to be a group member (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of counterclaim where defendant new party
        • Item icon Notice of default in answering interrogatories
        • Item icon Notice of default in making discovery of documents
        • Item icon Notice of defence
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of dispute
        • Item icon Notice of hearing of objection
        • Item icon Notice of intention to amend
        • Item icon Notice of intention to proceed
        • Item icon Notice of judgment
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of objection under Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Notice of solicitor ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48A
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48B
        • Item icon Notice that a jury is required
        • Item icon Notice to admit
        • Item icon Notice to produce
        • Item icon Notice to produce court file
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 2
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 3
        • Item icon Offer of compromise
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of minor (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of person under disability (County Court)
        • Item icon Order for letter of request to judicial authority out of Victoria (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order of Registrar to attend for oral examination (County Court)
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties where commenced under Rule 45.05
        • Item icon Overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Proper Basis Certification
        • Item icon Plaintiff's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Referral under Part 3 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Request for further and better particulars
        • Item icon Request for orders first directions
        • Item icon Request to enter a list (County Court)
        • Item icon Search for appearance
        • Item icon Search order
        • Item icon Statutory declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena both to attend to give evidence and to produce
        • Item icon Subpoena for production to the prothonotary
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Summons for an order to attend for examination or furnish particulars
        • Item icon Summons on originating motion - proceedings after appearance
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Writ
      • Folder icon Western Australia
        • Item icon Supreme Court forms - Link to Supreme Court of Western Australia
        • Item icon Affidavit (General)
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Application for subpoena to be set aside
        • Item icon Consent notice
        • Item icon Discontinuance notice
        • Item icon Document Title
        • Item icon Judgment for defendant's costs on discontinuance
        • Item icon Letter of request
        • Item icon List of Discoverable Documents
        • Item icon Memorandum of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appointment to hear originating summons
        • Item icon Notice of change of representation, service details or address
        • Item icon Notice of originating motion
        • Item icon Order (General form)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance not required)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance required)
        • Item icon Service certificate
        • Item icon Subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Summons (General form)
  • Folder icon C. Settling the matter
    • Item icon Concerns notice and offer to make amends
      If the client has been defamed and intends suing for damages, begin the claim with a letter of demand or concerns notice, which may include a request for an apology and damages. It is common for even an experienced defamation solicitor to prepare a letter of demand and have counsel settle it, ...

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    • Item icon Letter to other side to cease and desist
    • Folder icon Library of Example Concerns Notices
      • Item icon Example content - Concerns notice in response to radio broadcast
      • Item icon Example content - Concerns notice in response to internet publication
      • Item icon Example content - Concerns notice in response to email publication
      • Item icon Example content - Concerns notice in response to newspaper publication
      • Item icon Example content - Concerns notice in response to verbal allegation of child abuse
      • Item icon Example content - Concerns notice requesting an apology and retraction only
    • Item icon Apologies and expressions of regret
      As a general rule in civil law apologies and expressions of regret can imply an admission of fault or responsibility. But that said, all States and Territories now provide statutory protection in varying degrees when a person apologises or expresses regret. The rule of thumb is that apologies and ...

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    • Folder icon If required - Offer of amends
      • Item icon Example content - Offer of amends - Apology, retraction, costs and damages
      • Item icon Example content - Offer of amends - Apology and retraction only
      • Item icon Example content - Letter to other side rejecting offer of amends
      • Item icon Example content - Offer of compromise - 'Rules' offer
      • Item icon Example content - Offer of compromise - 'Calderbank' offer
      • Item icon Example - Deed of release
    • Item icon Authority to receive - Direction to pay
    • Item icon Costs disclosure before settlement
      See 101 Costs Answers for more information on costs disclosure generally. In litigation matters, the lawyer’s disclosure obligation extends to giving the client a reasonable estimate of the costs that will be payable if the matter is settled, including any costs of another party that are likely to ...

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    • Item icon Letter to client - Costs disclosure before settlement - NSW, VIC, and WA
  • Folder icon D. Alternatives to defamation proceedings
    • Folder icon Court forms - All jurisdictions
      • Folder icon Australian Capital Territory
        • Item icon Forms - ACT Court Procedures Act 2004
        • Item icon Affidavit - general
        • Item icon Affidavit for person to act as litigation guardian
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying answers to interrogatories
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Annexure to affidavit
        • Item icon Application for waiver of court or tribunal fee
        • Item icon Application in proceeding
        • Item icon Bill of costs
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon General form of consent judgement
        • Item icon General form of consent order
        • Item icon General form of judgement - civil proceeding
        • Item icon General form of order - civil proceeding
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance or withdrawal
        • Item icon Notice of intention to respond
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Originating application for admission as a lawyer
        • Item icon Originating application for costs assessment
        • Item icon Originating claim
        • Item icon Request for exemption from paying fees for ACT Law Courts or ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal matter
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of claim - general
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena - declaration by addressee
        • Item icon Summary of document to be served
      • Folder icon New South Wales
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of service
        • Item icon Appearance
        • Item icon Application to postpone, remit or waive payment of a court fee
        • Item icon Consent judgment or consent order
        • Item icon Consent to act as tutor
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence - No verification
        • Item icon Election for trial by jury in defamation proceedings
        • Item icon Exhibit certificate
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon General form
        • Item icon Interrogatories
        • Item icon Judgment or order
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of parties
        • Item icon Notice disputing facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor or appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to file notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of motion
        • Item icon Notice of removal of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice to produce for inspection
        • Item icon Notice to produce to court
        • Item icon Order for production
        • Item icon Reply
        • Item icon Reply - No verification
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of answers to interrogatories - Link to UCPR forms
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim - No verification
        • Item icon Statement of issues
        • Item icon Submitting Appearance
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence and to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Timetable
        • Item icon Witness statement
      • Folder icon Northern Territory
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Local Court forms
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Supreme Court forms
      • Folder icon Queensland
        • Item icon ADR referring order
        • Item icon Affidavit (Form 46)
        • Item icon Affidavit accompanying payment into court
        • Item icon Appearance slip - for use in Townsville District & Supreme Courts
        • Item icon Application
        • Item icon Application for reduction of fees by an individual
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit multiple documents with Index to exhibits
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit single document
        • Item icon Certificate of explanation of duty of disclosure
        • Item icon Certificate of readiness - District Court
        • Item icon Certificate of solicitor under rule 244
        • Item icon Agreement to change of venue
        • Item icon Claim
        • Item icon Conditional notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Consent adjournment of application
        • Item icon Consent of litigation guardian
        • Item icon ADR consent order
        • Item icon Default judgment
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon Judgment
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of documents (electronically managed)
        • Item icon Mediator's certificate
        • Item icon Notice of acceptance of offer
        • Item icon Notice of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of address for service - District Court
        • Item icon Notice of appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of non-party disclosure
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of solicitors
        • Item icon Notice proposing application without oral hearing
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Notice to admit documents
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts
        • Item icon Order
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Registrars order for costs
        • Item icon Request for consent order of registrar
        • Item icon Request for default judgment
        • Item icon Request for fee refund
        • Item icon Request for subpoena
        • Item icon Request for trial date
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Subpoena for production
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend enforcement hearing
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Title (long)
        • Item icon Title (short)
        • Item icon Undertaking re letter of request
      • Folder icon South Australia
        • Item icon Court forms - Link to Courts SA
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet
        • Item icon Front page
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Summons - general
      • Folder icon Tasmania
        • Item icon Courts and Tribunals Tasmania - Court forms
      • Folder icon Victoria
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (County Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of litigation guardian accepting offer of settlement
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - originating process
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party not on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of solicitor
        • Item icon Affidavit in support of summons
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (County Court)
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Application for copy of Judge's notes (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for order to examine OR produce (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for standard or concession court fees
        • Item icon Associate Judges' Practice Court (Court 2) - Applications
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Certificate of judgment (County Court)
        • Item icon Certificate of payment
        • Item icon Certification of prior overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defendant's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Document Header
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon Final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Freezing order
        • Item icon General form of judgment entered
        • Item icon General form of judgment given
        • Item icon General form of order
        • Item icon Interlocutory or interlocutory and final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge with a jury
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge without a jury
        • Item icon Judgment or order at trial of preliminary question
        • Item icon Letter of request for service of document
        • Item icon Letter to defendant's insurer - Calderbank offer
        • Item icon Mediation decision sheet (County Court)
        • Item icon Minutes of Consent Orders pursuant to Rule 59 06
        • Item icon Notice claiming contribution
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (County Court)
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appearance to counterclaim
        • Item icon Notice of application for audio visual link or audio link
        • Item icon Notice of application for suppression order
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of conditional appearance
        • Item icon Notice of consent to be a group member (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of counterclaim where defendant new party
        • Item icon Notice of default in answering interrogatories
        • Item icon Notice of default in making discovery of documents
        • Item icon Notice of defence
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of dispute
        • Item icon Notice of hearing of objection
        • Item icon Notice of intention to amend
        • Item icon Notice of intention to proceed
        • Item icon Notice of judgment
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of objection under Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Notice of solicitor ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48A
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48B
        • Item icon Notice that a jury is required
        • Item icon Notice to admit
        • Item icon Notice to produce
        • Item icon Notice to produce court file
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 2
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 3
        • Item icon Offer of compromise
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of minor (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of person under disability (County Court)
        • Item icon Order for letter of request to judicial authority out of Victoria (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order of Registrar to attend for oral examination (County Court)
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties where commenced under Rule 45.05
        • Item icon Overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Proper Basis Certification
        • Item icon Plaintiff's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Referral under Part 3 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Request for further and better particulars
        • Item icon Request for orders first directions
        • Item icon Request to enter a list (County Court)
        • Item icon Search for appearance
        • Item icon Search order
        • Item icon Statutory declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena both to attend to give evidence and to produce
        • Item icon Subpoena for production to the prothonotary
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Summons for an order to attend for examination or furnish particulars
        • Item icon Summons on originating motion - proceedings after appearance
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Writ
      • Folder icon Western Australia
        • Item icon Supreme Court forms - Link to Supreme Court of Western Australia
        • Item icon Affidavit (General)
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Application for subpoena to be set aside
        • Item icon Consent notice
        • Item icon Discontinuance notice
        • Item icon Document Title
        • Item icon Judgment for defendant's costs on discontinuance
        • Item icon Letter of request
        • Item icon List of Discoverable Documents
        • Item icon Memorandum of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appointment to hear originating summons
        • Item icon Notice of change of representation, service details or address
        • Item icon Notice of originating motion
        • Item icon Order (General form)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance not required)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance required)
        • Item icon Service certificate
        • Item icon Subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Summons (General form)
    • Item icon Breach of privacy
      Publishing material that constitutes an attack on a person’s fundamental self-worth may be so gross as to amount to a breach of their privacy. The harm done by publicly broadcasting explicit sexual material without the permission of the person depicted in the material has long been regarded as so ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Letter of demand - Breach of privacy, breach of confidence, false and misleading conduct and defamation
    • Item icon Breach of confidence
      The equitable doctrine of breach of confidence has traditionally provided redress for the unauthorised use or disclosure of trade secrets, or commercial-in-confidence material. There are cases in Britain going back 150 years where the doctrine has been applied to confidential information of a ...

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    • Item icon Injunctive relief
      Where a business or professional client wants to stop a previous customer or former client behaving badly, for example, by publishing defamatory material on the internet it is possible to apply for an injunction provided an undertaking is given to the court to file defamation or other proceedings ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Letter of demand before interim injunction application
    • Item icon Example content - Application for interim injunction
    • Item icon Example content - Order or judgment for interim injunction
    • Item icon Misleading or deceptive conduct
      Another good alternative to defamation proceedings is the misleading or deceptive conduct action under s 18 of the Australian Consumer Law in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The usual applicant will be a corporation excluded from defamation proceedings by the ...

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    • Item icon Injurious falsehood
      Malicious or injurious falsehood is a tort that provides a remedy where the defendant maliciously publishes false material causing special damage to the plaintiff, or to the plaintiff’s property or business. This action is frequently prosecuted in conjunction with a claim for misleading or ...

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    • Item icon Statutory remedies for hate speech
      In various ways, and with different degrees of success, the Commonwealth, states, and territories have attempted to protect people from vilification or hate speech based on their race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, and age. These laws are designed to protect the group and its standing in the ...

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    • Item icon The Australian Press Council
      The vast majority of print media organisations in Australia are members of the Australian Press Council, a self-regulatory body with responsibility for dealing with complaints about Australian newspapers, magazines and associated digital outlets. Although the Council is funded mostly by the major ...

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    • Item icon Australian Press Council - Complaint form
    • Item icon The Australian Communications and Media Authority
      The task of regulating radio and television broadcasts falls to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), a statutory body established under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth). All broadcast media is covered by the legislation except the national broadcasters ABC and SBS, ...

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    • Item icon Australian Communications and Media Authority - Complaint form
    • Item icon Criminal defamation
      As the name suggests, criminal defamation requires an element of criminality that is not found in the tort of defamation, although mens rea is not required at common law as the offence depends on the effect of the words, not the intention of the person accused of the crime. Criminal defamation at ...

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  • Folder icon E. Commencing proceedings
    • Folder icon Court forms - All jurisdictions
      • Folder icon Australian Capital Territory
        • Item icon Forms - ACT Court Procedures Act 2004
        • Item icon Affidavit - general
        • Item icon Affidavit for person to act as litigation guardian
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying answers to interrogatories
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Annexure to affidavit
        • Item icon Application for waiver of court or tribunal fee
        • Item icon Application in proceeding
        • Item icon Bill of costs
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon General form of consent judgement
        • Item icon General form of consent order
        • Item icon General form of judgement - civil proceeding
        • Item icon General form of order - civil proceeding
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance or withdrawal
        • Item icon Notice of intention to respond
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Originating application for admission as a lawyer
        • Item icon Originating application for costs assessment
        • Item icon Originating claim
        • Item icon Request for exemption from paying fees for ACT Law Courts or ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal matter
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of claim - general
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena - declaration by addressee
        • Item icon Summary of document to be served
      • Folder icon New South Wales
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of service
        • Item icon Appearance
        • Item icon Application to postpone, remit or waive payment of a court fee
        • Item icon Consent judgment or consent order
        • Item icon Consent to act as tutor
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence - No verification
        • Item icon Election for trial by jury in defamation proceedings
        • Item icon Exhibit certificate
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon General form
        • Item icon Interrogatories
        • Item icon Judgment or order
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of parties
        • Item icon Notice disputing facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor or appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to file notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of motion
        • Item icon Notice of removal of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice to produce for inspection
        • Item icon Notice to produce to court
        • Item icon Order for production
        • Item icon Reply
        • Item icon Reply - No verification
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of answers to interrogatories - Link to UCPR forms
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim - No verification
        • Item icon Statement of issues
        • Item icon Submitting Appearance
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence and to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Timetable
        • Item icon Witness statement
      • Folder icon Northern Territory
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Local Court forms
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Supreme Court forms
      • Folder icon Queensland
        • Item icon ADR referring order
        • Item icon Affidavit (Form 46)
        • Item icon Affidavit accompanying payment into court
        • Item icon Appearance slip - for use in Townsville District & Supreme Courts
        • Item icon Application
        • Item icon Application for reduction of fees by an individual
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit multiple documents with Index to exhibits
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit single document
        • Item icon Certificate of explanation of duty of disclosure
        • Item icon Certificate of readiness - District Court
        • Item icon Certificate of solicitor under rule 244
        • Item icon Agreement to change of venue
        • Item icon Claim
        • Item icon Conditional notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Consent adjournment of application
        • Item icon Consent of litigation guardian
        • Item icon ADR consent order
        • Item icon Default judgment
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon Judgment
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of documents (electronically managed)
        • Item icon Mediator's certificate
        • Item icon Notice of acceptance of offer
        • Item icon Notice of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of address for service - District Court
        • Item icon Notice of appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of non-party disclosure
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of solicitors
        • Item icon Notice proposing application without oral hearing
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Notice to admit documents
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts
        • Item icon Order
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Registrars order for costs
        • Item icon Request for consent order of registrar
        • Item icon Request for default judgment
        • Item icon Request for fee refund
        • Item icon Request for subpoena
        • Item icon Request for trial date
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Subpoena for production
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend enforcement hearing
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Title (long)
        • Item icon Title (short)
        • Item icon Undertaking re letter of request
      • Folder icon South Australia
        • Item icon Court forms - Link to Courts SA
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet
        • Item icon Front page
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Summons - general
      • Folder icon Tasmania
        • Item icon Courts and Tribunals Tasmania - Court forms
      • Folder icon Victoria
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (County Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of litigation guardian accepting offer of settlement
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - originating process
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party not on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of solicitor
        • Item icon Affidavit in support of summons
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (County Court)
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Application for copy of Judge's notes (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for order to examine OR produce (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for standard or concession court fees
        • Item icon Associate Judges' Practice Court (Court 2) - Applications
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Certificate of judgment (County Court)
        • Item icon Certificate of payment
        • Item icon Certification of prior overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defendant's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Document Header
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon Final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Freezing order
        • Item icon General form of judgment entered
        • Item icon General form of judgment given
        • Item icon General form of order
        • Item icon Interlocutory or interlocutory and final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge with a jury
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge without a jury
        • Item icon Judgment or order at trial of preliminary question
        • Item icon Letter of request for service of document
        • Item icon Letter to defendant's insurer - Calderbank offer
        • Item icon Mediation decision sheet (County Court)
        • Item icon Minutes of Consent Orders pursuant to Rule 59 06
        • Item icon Notice claiming contribution
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (County Court)
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appearance to counterclaim
        • Item icon Notice of application for audio visual link or audio link
        • Item icon Notice of application for suppression order
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of conditional appearance
        • Item icon Notice of consent to be a group member (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of counterclaim where defendant new party
        • Item icon Notice of default in answering interrogatories
        • Item icon Notice of default in making discovery of documents
        • Item icon Notice of defence
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of dispute
        • Item icon Notice of hearing of objection
        • Item icon Notice of intention to amend
        • Item icon Notice of intention to proceed
        • Item icon Notice of judgment
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of objection under Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Notice of solicitor ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48A
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48B
        • Item icon Notice that a jury is required
        • Item icon Notice to admit
        • Item icon Notice to produce
        • Item icon Notice to produce court file
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 2
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 3
        • Item icon Offer of compromise
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of minor (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of person under disability (County Court)
        • Item icon Order for letter of request to judicial authority out of Victoria (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order of Registrar to attend for oral examination (County Court)
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties where commenced under Rule 45.05
        • Item icon Overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Proper Basis Certification
        • Item icon Plaintiff's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Referral under Part 3 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Request for further and better particulars
        • Item icon Request for orders first directions
        • Item icon Request to enter a list (County Court)
        • Item icon Search for appearance
        • Item icon Search order
        • Item icon Statutory declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena both to attend to give evidence and to produce
        • Item icon Subpoena for production to the prothonotary
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Summons for an order to attend for examination or furnish particulars
        • Item icon Summons on originating motion - proceedings after appearance
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Writ
      • Folder icon Western Australia
        • Item icon Supreme Court forms - Link to Supreme Court of Western Australia
        • Item icon Affidavit (General)
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Application for subpoena to be set aside
        • Item icon Consent notice
        • Item icon Discontinuance notice
        • Item icon Document Title
        • Item icon Judgment for defendant's costs on discontinuance
        • Item icon Letter of request
        • Item icon List of Discoverable Documents
        • Item icon Memorandum of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appointment to hear originating summons
        • Item icon Notice of change of representation, service details or address
        • Item icon Notice of originating motion
        • Item icon Order (General form)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance not required)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance required)
        • Item icon Service certificate
        • Item icon Subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Summons (General form)
    • Item icon Time limitations
      From the commencement of the uniform law on 1 January 2006 the time limitation for bringing an action for defamation is generally one year from the date of publication. Following the 2021 amendments, the limitation period may be extended in certain circumstances – see above. Prior to the ...

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    • Item icon Deciding which court
      The first question is whether the defamatory material was published in one of the eight jurisdictions in which the uniform defamation law operates. If the defamatory material is published to one person other than the person defamed in any Australian State or Territory, then that constitutes a cause ...

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    • Item icon Pleading the defamatory material
      The distinction between written and spoken defamation was abolished by the uniform defamation law, but the form in which the defamatory words are published is important in the context of preparing the Statement of Claim. A transcript of the defamatory material must be attached to the Statement of ...

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    • Item icon Identifying the defamatory imputations
      Whether the words in the published material or matter complained of carry defamatory imputations depends on the answer to three questions:

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    • Item icon Drafting the statement of claim
      It would be unusual for the Statement of Claim not to have the benefit of a second opinion before it is filed. Even the solicitor experts in defamation will run their pleadings by counsel in the expectation that there will be some aspect of the case that needs further attention. The approach taken ...

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    • Item icon Filing and service
      File and serve the Statement of Claim in accordance with the rules of the applicable court. In the case of a corporate defendant, it is wise to serve documents on both the registered office and the place of business, especially where the company operates from separate premises to the registered ...

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    • Folder icon Library of statements of claim
      • Item icon Example content - Statement of claim for defamatory publication
      • Item icon Example content - Statement of claim for misleading or deceptive conduct and injurious falsehood
      • Item icon Example content - Statement of claim for breach of privacy
      • Item icon Example content - Statement of claim for breach of confidence
    • Item icon Letter to process server
    • Item icon Example content - Reply to request for further and better particulars
    • Item icon First return date
      Be aware of and ensure compliance with the requirements of relevant practice notes for the applicable court. Before the return date have a discussion with the other side to work out an agreed timetable which can be handed up. See the Example Content – Short Minutes of Order – Timetable on the ...

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    • Item icon Juries
      In criminal trials, it is often said it is better to have a judge and jury to hear the case if the client is likely to be guilty, but a judge sitting alone without a jury if the client appears to be innocent. This is based on the assumptions that juries are less suspicious than a judge about the ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Short minutes of order - Timetable
    • Item icon Example content - Short minutes of order - Amended defence
  • Folder icon F. Defending proceedings
    • Folder icon Court forms - All jurisdictions
      • Folder icon Australian Capital Territory
        • Item icon Forms - ACT Court Procedures Act 2004
        • Item icon Affidavit - general
        • Item icon Affidavit for person to act as litigation guardian
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying answers to interrogatories
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Annexure to affidavit
        • Item icon Application for waiver of court or tribunal fee
        • Item icon Application in proceeding
        • Item icon Bill of costs
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon General form of consent judgement
        • Item icon General form of consent order
        • Item icon General form of judgement - civil proceeding
        • Item icon General form of order - civil proceeding
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance or withdrawal
        • Item icon Notice of intention to respond
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Originating application for admission as a lawyer
        • Item icon Originating application for costs assessment
        • Item icon Originating claim
        • Item icon Request for exemption from paying fees for ACT Law Courts or ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal matter
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of claim - general
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena - declaration by addressee
        • Item icon Summary of document to be served
      • Folder icon New South Wales
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of service
        • Item icon Appearance
        • Item icon Application to postpone, remit or waive payment of a court fee
        • Item icon Consent judgment or consent order
        • Item icon Consent to act as tutor
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence - No verification
        • Item icon Election for trial by jury in defamation proceedings
        • Item icon Exhibit certificate
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon General form
        • Item icon Interrogatories
        • Item icon Judgment or order
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of parties
        • Item icon Notice disputing facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor or appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to file notice of ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of motion
        • Item icon Notice of removal of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts and authenticity of documents
        • Item icon Notice to produce for inspection
        • Item icon Notice to produce to court
        • Item icon Order for production
        • Item icon Reply
        • Item icon Reply - No verification
        • Item icon Request for service abroad of judicial documents and certificate
        • Item icon Statement of answers to interrogatories - Link to UCPR forms
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim
        • Item icon Statement of cross-claim - No verification
        • Item icon Statement of issues
        • Item icon Submitting Appearance
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence and to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce with subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Timetable
        • Item icon Witness statement
      • Folder icon Northern Territory
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Local Court forms
        • Item icon Northern Territory - Supreme Court forms
      • Folder icon Queensland
        • Item icon ADR referring order
        • Item icon Affidavit (Form 46)
        • Item icon Affidavit accompanying payment into court
        • Item icon Appearance slip - for use in Townsville District & Supreme Courts
        • Item icon Application
        • Item icon Application for reduction of fees by an individual
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit multiple documents with Index to exhibits
        • Item icon Certificate of exhibit single document
        • Item icon Certificate of explanation of duty of disclosure
        • Item icon Certificate of readiness - District Court
        • Item icon Certificate of solicitor under rule 244
        • Item icon Agreement to change of venue
        • Item icon Claim
        • Item icon Conditional notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Consent adjournment of application
        • Item icon Consent of litigation guardian
        • Item icon ADR consent order
        • Item icon Default judgment
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defence and counterclaim
        • Item icon Judgment
        • Item icon List of documents
        • Item icon List of documents (electronically managed)
        • Item icon Mediator's certificate
        • Item icon Notice of acceptance of offer
        • Item icon Notice of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of address for service - District Court
        • Item icon Notice of appointment of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of change of address for service
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of non-party disclosure
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of notice of intention to defend
        • Item icon Notice of withdrawal of solicitors
        • Item icon Notice proposing application without oral hearing
        • Item icon Notice that party acting in person
        • Item icon Notice to admit documents
        • Item icon Notice to admit facts
        • Item icon Order
        • Item icon Originating application
        • Item icon Registrars order for costs
        • Item icon Request for consent order of registrar
        • Item icon Request for default judgment
        • Item icon Request for fee refund
        • Item icon Request for subpoena
        • Item icon Request for trial date
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Subpoena for production
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend enforcement hearing
        • Item icon Subpoena to give evidence and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Subpoena for production and request for subpoena
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Title (long)
        • Item icon Title (short)
        • Item icon Undertaking re letter of request
      • Folder icon South Australia
        • Item icon Court forms - Link to Courts SA
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet
        • Item icon Front page
        • Item icon Statement of claim
        • Item icon Summons - general
      • Folder icon Tasmania
        • Item icon Courts and Tribunals Tasmania - Court forms
      • Folder icon Victoria
        • Item icon Affidavit
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (County Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of documents (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Affidavit of litigation guardian accepting offer of settlement
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - originating process
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party not on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of service - party on the matter
        • Item icon Affidavit of solicitor
        • Item icon Affidavit in support of summons
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (County Court)
        • Item icon Answers to interrogatories (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Application for copy of Judge's notes (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for order to examine OR produce (County Court)
        • Item icon Application for standard or concession court fees
        • Item icon Associate Judges' Practice Court (Court 2) - Applications
        • Item icon Certificate identifying exhibit
        • Item icon Certificate of judgment (County Court)
        • Item icon Certificate of payment
        • Item icon Certification of prior overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Defence
        • Item icon Defendant's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Document Header
        • Item icon Expert witness code of conduct
        • Item icon Final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Freezing order
        • Item icon General form of judgment entered
        • Item icon General form of judgment given
        • Item icon General form of order
        • Item icon Interlocutory or interlocutory and final judgment for damages or value in default
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge with a jury
        • Item icon Judgment at trial by judge without a jury
        • Item icon Judgment or order at trial of preliminary question
        • Item icon Letter of request for service of document
        • Item icon Letter to defendant's insurer - Calderbank offer
        • Item icon Mediation decision sheet (County Court)
        • Item icon Minutes of Consent Orders pursuant to Rule 59 06
        • Item icon Notice claiming contribution
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (County Court)
        • Item icon Notice for discovery (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appearance to counterclaim
        • Item icon Notice of application for audio visual link or audio link
        • Item icon Notice of application for suppression order
        • Item icon Notice of change of solicitor
        • Item icon Notice of conditional appearance
        • Item icon Notice of consent to be a group member (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Notice of counterclaim where defendant new party
        • Item icon Notice of default in answering interrogatories
        • Item icon Notice of default in making discovery of documents
        • Item icon Notice of defence
        • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
        • Item icon Notice of dispute
        • Item icon Notice of hearing of objection
        • Item icon Notice of intention to amend
        • Item icon Notice of intention to proceed
        • Item icon Notice of judgment
        • Item icon Notice of objection
        • Item icon Notice of objection under Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Notice of solicitor ceasing to act
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48A
        • Item icon Notice of trial (Supreme Court) - Form 48B
        • Item icon Notice that a jury is required
        • Item icon Notice to admit
        • Item icon Notice to produce
        • Item icon Notice to produce court file
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 2
        • Item icon Notice to witness - Form 3
        • Item icon Offer of compromise
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of minor (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order approving compromise of claim of person under disability (County Court)
        • Item icon Order for letter of request to judicial authority out of Victoria (Supreme Court)
        • Item icon Order of Registrar to attend for oral examination (County Court)
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties
        • Item icon Originating motion between parties where commenced under Rule 45.05
        • Item icon Overarching obligations certification
        • Item icon Proper Basis Certification
        • Item icon Plaintiff's application under Part 5 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Referral under Part 3 of Courts (Case Transfer) Act 1991
        • Item icon Request for further and better particulars
        • Item icon Request for orders first directions
        • Item icon Request to enter a list (County Court)
        • Item icon Search for appearance
        • Item icon Search order
        • Item icon Statutory declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena both to attend to give evidence and to produce
        • Item icon Subpoena for production to the prothonotary
        • Item icon Subpoena to attend to give evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce
        • Item icon Summons
        • Item icon Summons for an order to attend for examination or furnish particulars
        • Item icon Summons on originating motion - proceedings after appearance
        • Item icon Third party notice
        • Item icon Writ
      • Folder icon Western Australia
        • Item icon Supreme Court forms - Link to Supreme Court of Western Australia
        • Item icon Affidavit (General)
        • Item icon Affidavit verifying list of documents
        • Item icon Application for subpoena to be set aside
        • Item icon Consent notice
        • Item icon Discontinuance notice
        • Item icon Document Title
        • Item icon Judgment for defendant's costs on discontinuance
        • Item icon Letter of request
        • Item icon List of Discoverable Documents
        • Item icon Memorandum of appearance
        • Item icon Notice of appointment to hear originating summons
        • Item icon Notice of change of representation, service details or address
        • Item icon Notice of originating motion
        • Item icon Order (General form)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance not required)
        • Item icon Originating summons (Appearance required)
        • Item icon Service certificate
        • Item icon Subpoena notice and declaration
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence
        • Item icon Subpoena to give oral evidence and produce documents
        • Item icon Subpoena to produce documents
        • Item icon Summons (General form)
    • Item icon Defending proceedings
      The first thing to advise the defendant is the costs involved in the various stages of the proposed litigation. The second thing is the nature of the defences available both at common law and under the uniform defamation legislation, and whether any of those defences apply to the case.

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    • Item icon Assessing the motives of the plaintiff
      As a general rule, plaintiffs will commence proceedings as a last resort when every attempt to settle their dispute with the defendant has failed. In most cases the defendant can assume that the plaintiff is a reluctant litigant, mortified by the publication and desperate to restore their damaged ...

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    • Item icon Filing and serving a notice of appearance
      A Notice of Appearance will need to be filed or handed to the Registrar or the List Judge. Ensure compliance with the relevant rules of court.

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    • Item icon Seeking further and better particulars of the claim
      Questions of the plaintiff in defamation proceedings revolve around whether the published words carry the defamatory meanings alleged by the plaintiff and whether the damages claimed can be justified. The question of further and better particulars should be canvassed with the plaintiff’s solicitor ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Request for further and better particulars of statement of claim
    • Item icon Objecting to the statement of claim
      A strike out application by the defendant will be appropriate if the plaintiff fails to reply to the request for further and better particulars, or otherwise fails to address the defendant’s concerns about the Statement of Claim. The fundamental principle is that the defendant is entitled to know ...

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    • Item icon Juries
      In criminal trials, it is often said it is better to have a judge and jury to hear the case if the client is likely to be guilty, but a judge sitting alone without a jury if the client appears to be innocent. This is based on the assumptions that juries are less suspicious than a judge about the ...

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    • Item icon Defences
      The imputations are true in substance Truth alone has been a defence to defamation claims since s 25 of the uniform defamation law came into force in 2006. Between 1847 and 2006, as well as proving the truth of defamatory remarks, a defendant had to prove that the remarks were made in the ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Defence
    • Item icon Defences defeated by malice
      All common law defences with the exception of truth and absolute privilege are defeated by malice. Only purveyors of the truth, politicians, lawyers, litigants, and witnesses in parliamentary or judicial proceedings can defame a person with impunity. But proving the existence of malice is not ...

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  • Folder icon G. Interlocutory procedures
    • Item icon Updating the short minutes of order
      The plaintiff may object to a glaring error or omission in the defence and request the defence be amended. Assuming the amendment is agreed, including as to the resultant costs issues, the parties can agree on a timetable to take the case through to the point where it is ready to be set down for ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Short minutes of order - Amended defence
    • Item icon Example content - Short minutes of order - Timetable
    • Item icon Particulars of the defence
      The plaintiff is entitled to know the detail of the Defence to be relied on at trial by the defendant. Vague or general assertions in answer to the Statement of Claim are not acceptable and should be the subject of a request for further and better particulars. Both parties have an obligation to ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Request for further and better particulars of defence
    • Item icon Reply to the defence
      The plaintiff must answer the defences pleaded by the defendant in a formal Reply. If the plaintiff does not take issue with any of the defences, then the plaintiff will be deemed to concede those defences. Where there are admissions in the Defence, they should be acknowledged generally by the ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Reply to defence
    • Item icon Particulars of the reply
      Sometimes a plaintiff will attempt to insert into the proceedings new or fresh assertions in the Reply, either as a pleading or in the particulars. For example, a plaintiff may include in particulars of malice the following:

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    • Item icon Example content - Request for further and better particulars of reply
    • Item icon Strike out applications
      An application to the court to strike out an opponent’s pleadings or particulars can be made at any time after reasonable notice to withdraw the offending material. Most commonly the application relates to the form and capacity of the plaintiff’s imputations, failure to disclose a reasonable cause ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Application to strike out plaintiff's reply to the defence
    • Item icon Answer to the reply
      A defendant who is partly successful in having the Reply struck out is entitled to ask the plaintiff to file an Amended Reply. Where there is no strike out application, the defendant will deal with any concerns about the Reply in a response, or Answer. The document is similar in form and content to ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Defendant's answer to plaintiff's reply
    • Item icon Discovery
      Disclosure or discovery of documents and answering of interrogatories are dealt with in the applicable court rules covering civil litigation. In the absence of agreement between the parties, discovery can only proceed pursuant to an order of the court. When making an order for discovery, the court ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Client affidavit with list for discovery - Verified
    • Item icon Example content - Solicitor's certificate for discovery
    • Item icon Interrogatories
      Requests Interrogatories are specific questions addressed to the opposing party prior to trial. They are part of the discovery process, and, like discovery, they must relate to issues in the proceedings.

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    • Item icon Example content - Administration of interrogatories
    • Item icon Example content - Answers to interrogatories
  • Folder icon H. The trial
    • Item icon Plaintiff’s evidence
      The plaintiff must prove on the balance of probabilities that the matter complained of had a defamatory meaning, that it was communicated or published to a third party and that it was published of and concerning the plaintiff. In a case involving special damages, the plaintiff must also produce ...

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    • Item icon Defendant’s evidence
      The defendant’s case will focus on deficiencies in the plaintiff’s case unless truth is pleaded by the defendant. Once the defendant says that the defamatory meanings pleaded by the plaintiff are true, the onus of proving this assertion according to the civil standard of the balance of ...

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    • Item icon Plaintiff’s closing submissions
      At the closing stages of a defamation trial the judge will ask the parties for written submissions summarising the case and arguing in support of findings in favour of their clients. Diligent parties and their lawyers have been working on the final submissions since the opening day of the trial, ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Plaintiff’s closing submissions
    • Item icon Defendant’s closing submissions
      Written submissions on behalf of the defendant at the end of a defamation trial are similar to the plaintiff’s final submissions, except they argue the case for a verdict in favour of the defendant. Generally speaking, the parties will exchange submissions before handing them to the judge, and the ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Defendant's closing submissions
    • Item icon Calculation of damages
      The uniform defamation law provides that any award for damages in a defamation trial is to be decided by the judge and not the jury. This includes the amount of damages and any unresolved issues of fact that might have any bearing on the determination of the figure. The harm caused by the ...

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    • Item icon Interest
      Interest will be added to a verdict in the normal course and the amount will reflect commercial rates. In periods of high inflation, the rate will be higher, although a party ordered to pay damages and interest may argue that any period of delay attributable to the successful party should be ...

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    • Item icon Costs disclosure before settlement
      See 101 Costs Answers for more information on costs disclosure generally. In litigation matters, the lawyer’s disclosure obligation extends to giving the client a reasonable estimate of the costs that will be payable if the matter is settled, including any costs of another party that are likely to ...

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    • Item icon Costs orders
      In awarding costs, the court may have regard to the way the parties to proceedings conducted their cases and any other matters that the court considers relevant. Costs are awarded on an indemnity basis if the court is satisfied that the defendant unreasonably failed to make a settlement offer, or ...

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    • Item icon Example content - Plaintiff’s submissions on costs
  • Folder icon I. Finalising the matter
    • Item icon Authority to receive - Direction to pay
    • Item icon Letter to plaintiff client confirming successful outcome at trial
    • Item icon Letter to defendant client confirming successful outcome at trial
    • Item icon Letter to plaintiff client confirming unsuccessful outcome at trial
    • Item icon Letter to defendant client confirming unsuccessful outcome at trial
    • Item icon Letter to client finalising the matter
    • Folder icon Example invoices incorporating notification of rights
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - NSW
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - VIC
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - QLD
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - SA
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - TAS
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - ACT
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - NT
      • Item icon Example invoice incorporating notification of client's rights - WA
    • Item icon Closing the file
    • Item icon File closing checklist
  • Item icon Comments and suggestions for By Lawyers

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