Is defamation the 'Galapagos Islands Division' of the Australian law of torts?

Article

Hemming, Andrew. 2009. "Is defamation the 'Galapagos Islands Division' of the Australian law of torts?" University of Notre Dame Australia Law Review. 11, pp. 84-101.
Article Title

Is defamation the 'Galapagos Islands Division' of the Australian law of torts?

ERA Journal ID36726
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorHemming, Andrew
Journal TitleUniversity of Notre Dame Australia Law Review
Journal Citation11, pp. 84-101
Number of Pages18
Year2009
Place of PublicationPerth, Australia
ISSN1441-9769
Web Address (URL)http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UNDAULawRw/2009/5.html
Abstract

The theme of this article is whether in 2009 the tort of
defamation can be accurately described as exhibiting in
substantive form a species of tortious exotica in a postnational uniform defamation laws legal environment. The
article examines this question through the prism of three
recent defamation cases that went to the High Court
and through an analysis of the new uniform defamation
legislation itself which preserves much of the previous
common law. In light of the newly minted legislation
and the lack of Australian cases on the important offer
of amends procedure, attention is given to the recent
case law experience in England under a similar offer of
amends procedure. The article concludes that conjuring up
images of giant turtles and arcane procedures in relation to
defamation is to indulge in hyperbole and gives insufficient
credit to the landmark uniform defamation laws.

Keywordsdefamation; Channel Seven Adelaide Pty Ltd v Manock
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020480605. Tort law
480410. Legal theory, jurisprudence and legal interpretation
480499. Law in context not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

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Byline AffiliationsCharles Darwin University
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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