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This petition was submitted during the 2019 to 2024 Parliament

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Closed Expand legal aid to cover cases of defamation

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Legal aid is currently not available for defamation cases. This means that people, who may not have a large income, can have their reputations and lives ruined by false statements made about them, and be unable to afford recourse. The Government needs to expand legal aid to help prevent injustice.

Defamation law only protects those that can afford to take legal action. However, too many people are becoming victims of false statements being made about them - particularly online where there is a wide audience. These actions can have detrimental impacts on an individual's life: from ruined reputations, job losses and mental health issues. Expanding legal aid to cover defamation cases could help protect people from defamation.

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    This petition will stay open until 5 July 2023.