Defamation Act (Chapter 75): Primary legislation governing defamation in Singapore that covers both libel and slander, defines defamatory statements, outlines available defenses, and specifies limitation periods
Protection from Harassment Act (POHA): Secondary legislation that provides additional remedies for harassment and false statements, particularly relevant for cases of online defamation
Limitation Period: Legal time limit of 3 years from the date of publication within which a defamation claim must be filed
Test of Defamation: Common law principle determining whether a statement tends to lower the plaintiff in the estimation of right-thinking members of society
Defense of Justification: Legal defense against defamation based on proving the truth of the allegedly defamatory statement
Defense of Fair Comment: Legal defense protecting honest expressions of opinion on matters of public interest
Defense of Privilege: Legal defense covering statements made in certain privileged contexts, either absolute (complete protection) or qualified (protection unless malice is proven)
Proof of Publication: Requirement to demonstrate that the defamatory statement was communicated to at least one person other than the plaintiff
Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA): Recent legislation addressing online falsehoods and providing additional remedies for online defamation cases
Supreme Court Practice Directions: Procedural guidelines issued by the Supreme Court specifically addressing the conduct of defamation proceedings
