The Defamation Act 2013: Libel Tourism and Conclusions

Dr Matthew Collins QC explains the phenomenon of "libel tourism", the practice of foreigners coming to London to take advantage of England's relatively claimant-friendly defamation laws. A new provision in the Defamation Act 2013 seeks to limit such claims in future. Collins also describes some of the new powers given to courts in the new Act, and summarizes his conclusions as to the implications and likely effect of the Act.

Dr Matthew Collins QC is an Australian barrister and academic. He is also the author of The Law of Defamation and the Internet (Oxford University Press, 2001, 2005, 2010).