In s 7A defamation trials where the only evidence is the matter complained of, the plaintiff should ordinarily address first, and the question of a right of reply is a matter for the trial judge's discretion. A jury's unanimous rejection of all pleaded imputations may be set aside as perverse where analysis shows that many imputations were necessarily conveyed by the publication. Filing an amended statement of claim in compliance with conditions imposed on leave to amend constitutes an election to accept the ruling, precluding later revival of the abandoned imputations.
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