Supreme Court Rules 2000

In this rule – public document has the same meaning as in section 28 of the Defamation Act 2005.

A defence under section 28 of the Defamation Act 2005 is sufficiently pleaded if it alleges that the matter complained of was contained in – a public document or a fair copy of a public document; or a fair summary of, or a fair extract from, a public document.

Without limiting rule 263C, the particulars required by rule 263A(1) for a defence under section 28 of the Defamation Act 2005 must include particulars of the facts, matters and circumstances on which the defendant relies to establish that the matter complained of was contained in – a public document or a fair copy of a public document; or a fair summary of, or a fair extract from, a public document.