Government unveils plans to reduce ‘disproportionate’ defamation awards

Minister for Justice Simon Harris at the announcement of the publication of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill, at the Government Buildings in Dublin (PA/Niall Carson)

Justice Minister Simon Harris has said the “single biggest reform” of Ireland’s "draconian" defamation laws will be the abolition of juries for High Court cases.

The Defamation (Amendment) Bill will also tackle so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) with specific measures to stop individuals or organisations from taking cases as a way of shutting down criticism or negative reporting.