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| | | | SMU LAW ACADEMY EXPERT MASTERCLASSES |
Law of Defamation in Singapore: An Overview
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| | SYNOPSISThis masterclass provides the participant with an overview of defamation law in Singapore. It covers the context, the legal framework and the controversies and challenges of the subject. The masterclass should benefit those who are new to the subject or who need a refresh and update on the key legal developments. The 2-session masterclass adopts an interactive seminar format (questions and comments are encouraged) and includes small group discussions.
Course Outline
Session 1
| A | | Introduction
The context of defamation
Sources of law
Overall legal framework | | | | | | B | | Elements of defamation | | | | | 1 | | What is defamatory
Classical definition in Sim v Stretch
Words and meanings
What aspects of a person are protected?
| | 2 | | Refers to plaintiff
Defaming groups of persons, entities
| | 3 | | Publication
Need for publication
Liability for republications
| | 4 | | Cyberspace defamation
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| | | | | | C | | Defences | | | | | 1 | | Introduction – freedom of speech
| | 2 | | Range of defences
| | 3 | | Unintentional defamation – s 7 Defamation Act
| | 4 | | Consent
| | 5 | | Justification
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Session 2
| A | | Defences, continued | | | | | | | | | a | | Elements | | b | | Defence of honest opinion?sss |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | a | | Overview of defence | | b | | Common law qualified privilege | | | | • Categories
• Reynolds privilege
• Malice | | c | | Statutory qualified privilege | | d | | Absolute privilege |
| | | | | | | | | 3 | | Concluding remarks on defences |
| | | | | a | | 10 reasons to excuse the defendant | | b | | Defences and the affected parties |
| | | | | | B | | Remedies | | | | | | C | | Areas of law related to defamation | | | | | | D | | Concluding thoughts | | | | | 1 | | The big picture | | | | | | 2 | | The major controversies | | | | | | 3 | | Measures & strategies |
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The SMU Law Academy Expert Masterclasses are advanced skills and case-study based programmes where participants will learn from the industry’s top experts in a specific area of practical importance. Typically taught in a face-to-face format, such sessions will help participants to acquire practical in-depth knowhow to aid their development. All the masterclass instructors are specially curated and are recognised as experts in their areas. ABOUT THE SPEAKERKee Yang is an associate professor with the Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University. His recent book publications include Tort Law: A Critical Overview (2024) and A Clear View of the Law (2021). Professor Low has taught Law of Torts for 16 years and has also given legal opinions in this area. His personal interests include nature, photography, badminton, music, reading and candid conversation. FEES| a. | | Early Bird Price (registration by 24 July 2025) | | | | Registration fee of S$529.74* (inclusive of GST) applies. | | | | | | b. | | Regular Price (registration after 24 July 2025) | | | | Registration fee of S$588.60* (inclusive of GST) applies. |
*Please note that there will be no refund of any fees should the participant cancel the registration/ fail to attend the event. However, registration is transferable. Notice of any change in participant should be sent to SMULA, by 31 July 2025.
SMU Law Academy reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event. In such case, we will arrange for the refund of fees paid.
| |  | Registration will close on 31 July 2025.
| Complimentary for SMU Law Full-time Faculty, Staff & Students. Please sign up with your SMU email address.
| SCHEDULE| Session 1: | | 7 August 2025 | | | | 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM | | Session 2: | | 8 August 2025 | | | | 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM |
| DELIVERY MODEIn-Person | VENUESingapore Management University | LOCATION MAPClick HERE for map | PUBLIC CPD POINTS6 points (3 points per day)
| PRACTICE AREAPersonal injury | TRAINING LEVELGeneral | | | PROGRAMME| 8:45 AM | Registration
| | 9:00 AM | Part 1
| | 10:30 AM | Tea Break
| | 10:45 AM | Part 2
| | 12:15 PM | End of Event | | | |
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| ABOUT THE SMU LAW ACADEMYThe SMU Law Academy has an established track record of providing the legal profession with high quality seminars and other opportunities to remain fully informed about contemporary legal developments in Singapore and beyond. Its carefully curated listing of seminars is developed with the profession’s multi-faceted needs in mind and meets the requirements of the CPD scheme. The Academy also administers the Auditing Scheme which enables members of the legal profession to consolidate and upgrade their understanding of the law by auditing courses in the School’s LL.B., J.D. and LL.M. programmes. For an overview of upcoming SMU Law Academy events, please click here.
ABOUT THE SILE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMEParticipants who wish to obtain CPD Points are reminded that they must comply strictly with the Attendance Policy set out in the CPD Guidelines. For this activity, participants are reminded to sign in on arrival and sign out at the conclusion of each day of the event in the manner required by the organiser. Participants must not be absent from each day of the event for more than 15 minutes. Participants who do not comply with the Attendance Policy on any particular day of the event will not be able to obtain CPD Points for that day. Please refer to http://www.silecpdcentre.sg for more information. To subscribe/ unsubscribe from The SMU Law Academy mailing list, please click here. |
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