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Defamation claim dismissed - consider more carefully, "reluctant gladiator"

Tuesday, 12 April 2016 09:23

Pikes & Verekers Lawyers successfully represented a defendant in defamation proceedings dismissed by the District Court when the plaintiff brought a claim outside the statutory 12 month time limit. Of significance was that the plaintiff could not specify the date of the publications or the nature of the defamation in his statement of claim, only vaguely claiming that he had been defamed.

Despite being put on notice and given multiple opportunities, the plaintiff did not amend his claim and, instead, asked for more time. In response, the Judge dismissed the proceedings citing gross delay and failure to comply with Court orders to amend the claim. Her Honour reiterated that where the plaintiff is a "reluctant gladiator" both in commencement and prosecution of proceedings, the Court would not grant further indulgences.