What is an absolutely privileged statement?

An absolutely privileged statement is a statement which is of such a nature that no action will lie for, however false and defamatory it may be, and even though it is made maliciously——–that is, to say from some improper motive. The right of free speech is allowed to prevail wholly over the right of reputation. For obvious reason some of the occasions of absolute privilege are the following:  (i) any statement made in the course of and with reference to judicial proceedings by and judge,  juryman, advocate, witness, etc. (ii) reports of public judicial proceedings, published in a newspaper, (iii) any statement made in parliament by a member of either house, and (iv) communications between husband and wife.


Leave a Reply