Libel Law Reform The Bill to reform the law of
libel, whose second reading was moved by Sir Stanley Reed on Friday, was finally with- drawn; but it has served its purpose, as the Government has itself admitted the necessity of reform and will set up a Com- mittee of experts to inquire into the best means by which it may be achieved. Apart from questions of detail, there are two main reasons why such a decision is inevitable. Firstly, the existing law exercises an excessive restraint on journalists and writers in the exercise of their proper function of publication and criticism; secondly, the abuses to which it gives rise have become so flagrant that the law itself has ceased to command any respect from those it affects most closely. The notorious uncertainties of libel actions are shown as much by the willingness of defendants to settle even frivolous actions out of court as by the number of frivolous actions which are brought and successfully brought. The Committee of experts may satisfy themselves that there are more effective ways of removing abuses than the measures proposed by the Bill; it is to be hoped, in any case, that it will reach a decision quickly.
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