This article demonstrates how truth impacts defamation and privacy liability, suggesting a coherent legal framework.
Many causes of action may attach liability to the publication of public allegations, defamation, contempt of court, breach of confidence and privacy being chief amongst them. The role of truth in providing a defence to, or denying liability for, each of these causes of action varies. For example, proof of substantial truth is a complete defence to the tort of defamation but truth or falsity has been considered to be irrelevant to misuse of private information. This article analyses the role of truth in each of these causes of action and considers whether there is any scope for a more coherent approach to the treatment of truth when making public allegations.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
David Rolph (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: