Defamation Online, Damages and Reputational Loss

Social media is a breeding ground for potential defamation claims, as people routinely exploit technology to cause harm or act recklessly. This seminar will provide an update on recent key cases and issues that all practitioners should be aware of, as the potential or ability to cause harm can now rest on a split-second touch of a keyboard or swipe of a phone. This session will also provide tips on managing a client’s expectations in this evolving area.

This session will discuss:

• Defamation and social media – Current state of play;
• The impact of the amendments to the Defamation Act 2005 that came into force in 2021, including the impact of the serious harm test; and
• The proposed additional amendments and the likely impact of those proposed amendments.