Defamation

Abstract

This chapter addresses the history of the tort of defamation. Although early slander actions are found in manorial courts, the common law at first regarded defamation as beyond its purview and as more appropriate for ecclesiastical courts. But ecclesiastical courts could not deal with accusations of temporal crime or award damages. Soon after 1500 actions on the case were brought for damages caused by injury to reputation, not only by accusations of crime but also by accusations affecting a profession or calling. After some qualms, they could also be brought for spiritual matters, such as unchastity, provided temporal damage was shown. The actions proved embarrassingly popular, and the courts devised ways of deterring plaintiffs, in particular the artificial construction of words in the mildest possible sense (in mitiori sensu). The distinction between libel and slander is explained. Finally, there are observations on libel in printed publications.