Fair Comment - Law Dictionary Search Results
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Fair comment. Fair comment on a matter of public interest is a good defence to an action of libel for words prima facie defamatory; but the defence will be of no avail if express malice is established, Thomas v. Bradbury, Agnew & Co., (1906) 2 KB 627. When the defence is one of fair comment the plaintiff is not entitled to particulars, Digby v. Financial News Ltd., (1907) 1 KB 502; but the defendant can administer interrogatories to the plaintiff, Walkr v. Hodgson, (1909) 1 KB 239. Whether words exceed the limit of 'fair comment' or not is a question for the jury, Dakhyl v. Labouchere, (1908) 2 KB 325 n. consult Odgers on Libel.A statement based on writers or speakers honest opinion about a matter of public concern; Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 616....
fair comment
fair comment : a common-law privilege to criticize and comment on matters of public interest without being liable for defamation provided that the comment is an honest expression of opinion and free of malice ...
Libel
Libel [fr. libellus, Lat.; libelle, Fr.]. False defamatory words, if written and published, constitute a libel: Odgers on libel, p. 1. 'Everything printed or written, which reflects on the character of another, and is published without lawful justification or excuse, is a libel whatever the intention may have been', O'Brien v. Clement, (1846) 15 M & W 435, per Parke, B. A statement in a talking film is a libel and not merely a slander, Yossopoff v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture Corporation, 78 Sol Jo 617. As to publication by dictation, etc., to a typist, see Osborn v. Boulter & Son, (1930) 2 KB 226. All contumelious matter that tends to degrade a man in the opinion of his neighbours, or to make him ridiculous, will amount (when conveyed in writing, or by picture, effigy, or the like, Monson v. Tussauds, Ltd., (1894)1 QB 671, to libel. A writing of fictitious character which incidentally contains the name of a real person may be a libel: see Jones v. Hulton & Co., 1910 AC 20, where Lord ...
Justification
Justification, a maintaining or showing a sufficient reason in court why the defendant did what he is called upon to answer, particularly in an action of libel; a defence of justification is a defence showing the libel to be true, or in an action of assault showing the violence to have been necessary.If in a libel action a defendant pleads justification he must give particulars of the matters upon which he intends to rely in support of his plea (see (English) R.S.C., Order XXXVI., r. 37); but it is otherwise if the plea is only one of fair comment, Digby v. Financial News, Ltd., (1907) 1 KB 502. Consult Odgers on Libel.Means (1) A lawful or sufficient reason for one's acts or omissions (2) A showing, in court, of a sufficient reason why a defendant did what the plaintiff or prosecution charges the defendant to answer for. Also termed justification defense; necessity defense (3) A surety's proof of having enough money or credit to provide security for the party for whom it is required. ...
Malice
Malice [fr. malitia, Lat.], a formed design of doing mischief to another, technically called malitia pr'cogitata, or malice prepense or aforethought. It is either express, as when one with a sedate and deliberate mind and formed design kills another, which formed design is evidenced by certain circumstances discovering such intentions, as lying in wait, antecedent menaces, former grudges, and concerted schemes to do him some bodily harm; or implied, as where one wilfully poisons another; in such a deliberate act the law presumes malice, though no particular enmity can be proved. The nature of implied malice is also illustrated by the maxim, 'Culpa lata dolo 'quiparatur'-when negligence reaches a certain point it is the same as intentional wrong-'Every one must be taken to intend that which his the natural consequence of his actions'-if any one acts in exactly the same way as he would do it he bore express malice to another, he cannot be allowed to say he does not, 4 Steph. Com.'Malice ...
Criticism, comment
Criticism, comment.-The judgmentor opinionof anyone upon a book, play, or picture submitted for public approval. As to when criticism is fair and honest and no libel, see Joynt v. Cycle Trade Publishing Co., (1904) 2 KB 292; Thomas v. Bradbury, Agnew & Co. Ltd., (1906) 2 KB 627. Consult Odgers on Libel....
cause
cause 1 : something that brings about an effect or result [the negligent act which was the of the plaintiff's injury] NOTE: The cause of an injury must be proven in both tort and criminal cases. actual cause : cause in fact in this entry but-for cause : cause in fact in this entry cause in fact : a cause without which the result would not have occurred called also actual cause but-for cause concurrent cause : a cause that joins simultaneously with another cause to produce a result called also concurring cause compare intervening cause and superseding cause in this entry di·rect cause : proximate cause in this entry ef·fi·cient in·ter·ven·ing cause : superseding cause in this entry intervening cause 1 : an independent cause that follows another cause in time in producing the result but does not interrupt the chain of causation if foreseeable called also supervening cause compare concurrent cause and superseding cause in this entry 2 : super...
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