1. This Order may be cited as the Defamation Act 1996 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2000.

2. This Order extends to England and Wales only.

3. The following provisions of the Defamation Act 1996 shall come into force on 28th February 2000:

(a) sections 2, 3 (apart from subsection (9)) and 4 (offer to make amends), section 7 (meaning of a statement), and sections 8 to 10 (summary disposal of a claim); and

(b) so far as they are not already in force, section 17(1) (interpretation), and section 16 and Schedule 2 (repeals) except the entries relating to—

(i) the Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955( 2 );

(ii) the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972( 3 );

(iii) the British Nationality Act 1981( 4 ), Schedule 7, the entry relating to the Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955;

(iv) the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985( 5 ), Schedule 2, paragraph 3;

(v) the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986( 6 ); and

(vi) the Broadcasting Act 1990( 7 ), Schedule 20, paragraph 3.

4. Section 4 of the Defamation Act 1952( 8 ) shall continue to apply as if it had not been repealed to any offer of amends made before 28th February 2000, and to any legal proceedings relating to that offer.