Changes to defamation law 'undemocratic', says former judge

The Government first announced changes to the existing Defamation Act in March, with then-justice minister Simon Harris saying the removal of juries from defamation cases would reduce 'disproportionate and unpredictable' awards. File picture: Larry Cummins

A former High Court judge will label the Government’s proposal to remove juries from defamation actions as “inherently undemocratic” at the Oireachtas justice committee on Tuesday afternoon.

Retired High Court judge Bernard Barton will tell the committee the proposal to remove juries from defamation actions would be a “far-reaching and fundamental alteration” of the law and it would lead to “serious consequences”.