To reform the law of liability in defamation proceedings for reports of Parliamentary proceedings; and to repeal section 13 of the Defamation Act 1996.
House of Lords
11 October 2013
The bill changes how defamation liability works for people who report on Parliament and repeals a section of the Defamation Act 1996. It aims to make parliamentary reporting clearer and fairer while keeping accountability in serious cases. The measure is currently being debated in the Lords at the 2nd reading stage.
The bill is at the 2nd Reading in the House of Lords. If it progresses, it would move to committee stage for detailed scrutiny, then through further readings before possible passage to the Commons.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 10 October. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2013-14 session of parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
