Statutory Instruments
2009 No. 2858 (C. 125)
Defamation
The Defamation Act 1996 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2009
Made
25th October 2009
The Lord Chancellor, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 19(3) and (4) of the Defamation Act 1996( 1 ), makes the following Order.
1. This Order may be cited as the Defamation Act 1996 (Commencement No.4) Order 2009.
2. This Order extends to Northern Ireland only.
3. The following provisions of the Defamation Act 1996 shall come into force on 6th January 2010:
(a) sections 2, 3 (apart from subsection (9)) and 4 (offer to make amends);
(b) section 7 (meaning of statement);
(c) sections 8 to 11 (summary disposal of claims); and
(d) so far as they are not already in force, section 17(1) (interpretation), section 16 and Schedule 2 (repeals).
4. Section 4 of the Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955( 2 ) shall continue to apply as if it had not been repealed to any offer of amends made before 6th January 2010, and to any legal proceedings relating to that offer.
Signed by the authority of the Lord Chancellor
Bridget Prentice
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Ministry of Justice
25th October 2009
1955 c.11 (N.I.)