In a surprising move, the Government’s new Defamation Bill will maintain the current one-year statute of limitations for filing defamation lawsuits, despite concerns that this period is too short. Critics argue that a one-year window does not give individuals enough time to recognize and respond to defamatory statements.
According to Irishexaminer, The Defamation (Amendments) Bill, set to be unveiled by the Department of Justice this week, aims to update existing laws while keeping the contentious statute of limitations unchanged. This decision has sparked debate among legal experts and advocates who believe that extending the timeframe could provide better access to justice for those wronged by defamatory remarks.
Proponents of the current one-year limit argue that it encourages prompt resolution of disputes and prevents the legal system from being bogged down by old cases. However, opponents contend that the rapid pace of the modern media landscape makes it difficult for individuals to discover and act on defamation within such a short period.
As the Bill moves forward, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact those seeking redress for defamation in the future.4o